The council selected Seyedabadi for the second time after a national call and internal jury review. A longtime reading advocate, he has worked extensively with children and young adults using what the jury described as “innovative” and “sustainable” methods.

The iRead Award, launched by China’s Shenzhen Foundation and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), recognizes individuals with a proven track record—at least three years—of encouraging reading with creativity and commitment. It aims to foster what the organizers call a “global reading culture” and lasting literacy.

Nominees are chosen by each country’s national section of IBBY. In Iran, the Children’s Book Council serves in that role.

The jury panel includes children’s literature specialists Ali-Akbar Bahar, Jafar Tozandejani, Fatemeh Chaykar, Roya Shahri, Leila Kafashzadeh and Neda Movaheddipour.