Pavadais in bright gold colors Jersey shirts and faded jeans Swapping, changing, feeling seen Which is the color of me?
"For fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, this poetic story filled with expressive art empowers South Asian children living in the United States and celebrates being bicultural."
★ “What a celebration of self! This is a joyful book, for every age. ..This rhythmic picture book articulates a common experience for young children who straddle two cultures. Highly recommended. -School Library Journal
"I love that younger students can just enjoy the two different cultures, while older students can dig into the meaning of the text with beautiful figurative language. The main character describes how there are blurring lines, worlds colliding, and the need to be seen. There is so much to discuss! Jessica Rogers, - Literary Fusions
"This captures the strong duality of a child who has strong claims to her Indian Heritage and equally strong ties to the culture she is absorbing in the U.S. Each spread juxtaposes cultural elements that she values: Bollywood dance and hip-hop; cricket matches on TV and baseball games at the park; Hindi, Tamil, and English languages. Rather than the conventional tension we see in many books about bicultural people, this wields a more inquisitive tone. The girl is seeking a cultural balance that incorporates the various aspects of her identity, and she finds it in the people around her. Sumptuous illustrations formed by collages of textured and printed fabrics provide the visual metaphor for the many threads that weave together harmoniously in the girl’s community." -Booklist
“A simple yet empowering journey through a cupboard of saris and stories.” –Kirkus Reviews
★“A buoyant picture book about burgeoning identity and family lineage.” – Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
★“An expression of love threaded into the weave and weft of a boy’s yearning, this recommended purchase should be on the shelves for use in cross-generational units, LGBTQIA+ acceptance, and cultural awareness.” - School & Library Journal,starred review
In his desert world there are lines in the sand that keep you in your place. Boy OR girl. Man OR woman. The boy knows this
“A love letter to gender fluidity, accompanied by stunning art full of vibrancy and warmth.” – Betsy Bird, Fuse8
★ “Vibrant, kaleidoscopic illustrations inspired by the desert environs and the textiles, architecture, and artwork of the city of Jaisalmer capture the joyful dancer's whirling and swirling movements… Lyrical poetry mirrors the sounds and beats of the local folk music and complements the dreamlike visuals. Evocative and electrifying.”– Kirkus (starred)
★ "...this powerful biographical picture book is both a celebration of art and a manifesto for living on one's own terms" - Publisher's Weekly (starred)
★ "As gorgeous and indefinable as Queen Harish herself, this book belongs on every shelf. " - Booklist (starred)
★ "Desert Queen is a fearlessly triumphant depiction of the wonder, magic and sparkle of dance." - BookPage (starred)
★ "Celebratory...striking." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred)
★ "..this picture book is nothing short of brilliant. An essential purchase." School Library Journal (starred)
"One note trills. . .floating in the air. A little girl listens, perched on a chair. She rings a chime, soft and true. One note trills and now there are two."
In an ode to the power of music and community, this vibrantly illustrated picture book steps out on the balcony for a shared moment of spontaneous joy and celebration.
"A joyful celebration of music and community" - Kirkus
"Driving rhythms and clear rhymes by Rajan Gopal tug with a gentle beat while energetic illustrations from Sánchez render a sun-washed cityscape with texture " - Publisher's Weekly
"While the buildup to the neighborhood symphony is thrilling, the decrescendo is just as gratifying, with Gopal’s concise rhyming stanzas counting back down from ten..the story itself is deeply resonant and speaks to the power of music to enhance the resilience, creativity, and unity of global communities " - BCCB
"Reminiscent of spontaneous musical happenings during the pandemic, this picture book could inspire young children to create their own. " - Book List
Two sisters on a backyard adventure get into a fight - will they forgive each other and go back to making the most magnificent magical kingdom of all?