Perfect Picture Book Friday: AMERICAN DESI Plus Critique Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I absolutely LOVE today’s featured book. The text is empowering and the illustrations are fabulous. There is action and discovery on every page. And guess what! There is a Picture Book Critique up for grabs, thanks to generous author Jyoti! Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway – and sharing this post on your social media will earn you extra tickets in the giveaway hat.

AMERICAN DESI

Written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal

Illustrated by Supriya Kelkar

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Bicultural families, embracing diversity, self-awareness

Synopsis: From Amazon:
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.

Pavadais in bright gold colors
Jersey shirts and faded jeans
Swapping, changing, feeling seen…
Which is the color of me?

A young girl longs to know where she fits in: Is she American? Or is she Indian? Does she have to pick or can she be both? With bright, joyful rhyme, and paired with an immersive art style using American and Indian fabrics, American Desi celebrates the experiences of young children growing up first and second generation Indian American: straddling the two cultural worlds they belong to, embracing all they love of both worlds and refusing to be limited by either.

This story is a powerful tribute to the joy of being South Asian and for every reader who aspires to bridge their worlds with grace, grit, and confidence.

Why I Love This Book:
1. Lovely lyrical text invites the child reader and listener on a joyful journey of celebration as the main character examines and embraces everything about herself.
2. A wonderful mirror for children with bicultural identities and/or those who are straddling identities as well as a window for all children to learn more about the beauty and strength of South Asian culture.
3. Glorious illustrations vividly portray the joy and strength of the main character and her family.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Photo courtesy: https://artsycraftsymom.com/painting-a-simple-madhubani-fish-in-12-steps/

For details on how to make this beautiful Madhubani Fish: https://artsycraftsymom.com/painting-a-simple-madhubani-fish-in-12-steps/

Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the Critique Giveaway. AMERICAN DESI launches June 21st!!!! Please remember that the best way to help your favorite books become a success is to buy them, review them, tell friends about them, and ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

32 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: AMERICAN DESI Plus Critique Giveaway”

  2. I have so many students that can relate to this book. They are so proud of their heritage and love to share their family’s traditions with their classmates. Thank you for giving those students a voice.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. What a good idea! I taught in Malaysia and there were 3 distinct cultures there really four with children from Europeans studying in schools.
    Also my daughter married a nice Japanese man who lived with her in Hong Kong where I saw another mix of cultures that enjoyed mixing, I feel that is the best future for us all..

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Congratulations, Jyoti!! So excited for my children to be able to see themselves in this book. Thank you for making this. Also can’t wait to get my hands on My Paati’s Saris!

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. A wonderful reminder about belonging – and the illustrations promise to be colorful and engaging! I can hardly wait to read this one.

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