Starred review from September 1, 2022
K-Gr 3-Glorious fabrics unwind before a small boy's eyes as his grandmother pulls sari after sari from an elaborate wardrobe. "My paati's saris are stories./ They whisper the name/ of where they were made and/ how they came to be./ Peacocks preening, / lotus blooms peeking, / elephants parading/ -my paati's saris call to me." In Gopal's remarkable South Asian sensory journey, the boy follows her to market, where the fragrant spices call to him, in descriptions that evoke scents and sounds for readers; of peddlers shouting, and a constant swirl of color beautifully limned and expanded upon in Twink's luminously painted illustrations, with backgrounds and foreground patterns like textiles themselves. These foreshadow an uplifting moment of family unity and support at the end. First, the narrator is shown draping a sari like a hood around his head in the third spread, gazing at himself in the mirror. In one of the last scenes, his paati begowns him in a full sari, and both male and female relatives welcome him in this garb: "I twirl/ and sway.../ They see me./ ME." This view of a culture where the gender binary is expressed more fluidly is a welcome and subtle celebration of the shelter the boy finds in both the sari and family. VERDICT 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.-Kimberly Olson Fakih
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Starred review from September 26, 2022
“My paati’s saris are stories./ They whisper the name/ of where they were made and/ how they came to be.” In the creators’ glad celebration of family, love, and gender-experimental play, a Tamil-speaking Hindu child finds joy and solace in their paati’s sari collection. Sporting short hair and shorts, the nameless child
narrator describes both hiding in and wrapping themself in myriad fabrics and hues, then relays sensory details experienced with Paati, whose “pallu/ holds sweet-smelling jasmine/ and musky rose” as “we thread the flowers,/ a garland/ for morning puja.” When they venture out to market, the child stays nearby, tucked into the grandmother’s garment; at a party, they appreciate the way the patterned sari “SWIRLS. Peacocks preening/ lotus blooms peeking.” The next day, invited by the saris themselves to “EXPLORE, DARE, BE,” the protagonist drapes and tucks, pleats and folds Paati’s sari around themself, and is greeted with smiles: “My paati’s saris are/ my shelter, my home,” writes Rajan Gopal (American Desi). Brightly hued, maximalist illustrations from Twink (My Rainbow) tuck in a feline for readers to spot throughout while evoking movement across spaces domestic and public in a buoyant picture book about burgeoning identity and family lineage. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Wendi Gu, GreenburgerKids.
October 1, 2022
A Tamil child finds love and solace in their grandmother's saris. The child watches as their paati opens her cupboard and out come tumbling saris in gorgeous colors, patterns, and weaves, each seeming to tell the story of where it comes from. Each sari beckons the young child as they and their grandmother explore different spaces--the market, the kitchen, festivities, and more. The book ends with the child--with Paati's help--donning a sari and proudly displaying it to the rest of the family. Though gender isn't explicitly mentioned in the text, the young narrator presents male, and the book seems to hint that the protagonist initially feels some hesitancy at wearing a sari in front of others; ultimately they're joyous when their family embraces them ("They see me. ME"). There's little tension in the story. However, the art makes up for the text. It's glorious, each sari resplendently rendered, the textiles telling a powerful story by themselves. The last sari, the one the child chooses for themself, is stunning. Tigers leap across the fabric as dazzling suns offer highlights to the blue and pink of the material, an invitation to the child to explore and be themself: "My paati's saris are my shelter, my home." Many readers will be especially heartened to see a tale of LGBTQ+ identity--and acceptance--in a South Asian setting. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A simple yet empowering journey through a cupboard of saris and stories. (Picture book. 4-6)
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November 1, 2022
Grades K-2 Any child lucky enough to know a loving grandmother will be able to relate to the sensory details that capture the perfumes, spices, and softness of a paati, abuela, or grandma. In this book, a Tamil boy revels in his paati's saris: six yards of fabric that flow and swish and are filled with stories. The child is drawn to the vibrant colors and varied textures, gazing in the mirror at himself "wrapped in color." The relationship between these characters is undoubtedly intimate, and we see the child accompanying his paati to the market, sharing chores, and dancing at a celebration. It is in this loving context that the boy feels comfortable donning a sari and dancing before the family: "They see me. ME." My Paati's Saris is a story of love and acceptance. The illustrations burst with detail and movement, echoing traditional Bengali folk art while maintaining a contemporary crispness.
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