Children’s author Erin Dealey has revealed the cover of A Gentle Light: The Untold Story of British Spy and World War II Hero Noor Inayat Khan, written by Shirin Shamsi and illustrated by Tara Anand, coming March 23, 2027 from Red Comet Press / Abrams Books.
About the book
A Gentle Light shares the long-overdue, true story of Noor Inayat Khan, the first female (and first Muslim) radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France by the British Special Operations Executive during World War II. Working in constant danger, she transmitted critical messages for the Resistance, evading capture again and again, even as her network was dismantled around her. Her story is an important reminder that bravery does not always roar. Sometimes, it shines.
Pre-order A Gentle Light at Bookshop.org →
From the interview
Erin spoke with Shirin and Tara about the book and the cover. A few highlights:
On discovering Noor’s story
I first heard of Noor in 2012 when I read Shrabani Basu’s biography on Noor, The Spy Princess. Before that I had no idea about her story. I was absolutely obsessed by the story. I grieved for her. I was angry that I had not known of her when I was a child, and also later on when I studied World War Two.
Her story haunted me. I simply could not stop thinking of her. The fact that she was an author of children’s books resonated with me deeply. Her life was sandwiched between two world wars. I could relate to many aspects of her life, as a child of immigrants, raised in England. I simply felt compelled to share her story with children.
On the research
I had the opportunity to visit Noor’s memorial in London and her home in Suresnes, near Paris. It was a very memorable visit. I also had the pleasure of meeting with the author of Noor’s biography, Shrabani Basu, who knew and interviewed Noor’s siblings. There were many instances in her childhood that showed her extraordinary empathy, even as a child of four years.
On the cover
Tara Anand created the wonderful cover, as well as the illustrations of the story. The Art Director was Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press. I am so grateful Tara illustrated this story of my heart. I love her dramatic use of color and the choice to place Noor Inayat Khan front and center. The other elements on the cover, a small image of Noor slipping into the darkness with her radio, and the pattern of shadows from the planes overhead in the background, foretell the constant dangers she faced. It’s very powerful.
Illustrator Tara Anand added that the cover is one of the only times we see Noor’s full face. Because Noor has little visual presence online, getting the portrait right was a way of contributing to the visual archive of her life.
Read the full cover reveal and interview, including the interior art preview, on Erin Dealey’s blog via the link below. To learn more about Tara Anand’s work, visit taraanandart.com.
Source: Erin Dealey, Children's Author — Cover Reveal! A Gentle Light