Once Upon a Sari

When young Avani ventures into the cabinet that holds her mother's saris, a wealth of family stories come to light in this reflective work that introduces themes of legacy and memory. Exploring the fabrics and designs, Avani piles saris across the floor. When Mama arrives, she hides a smile before sharing what her own mother told her: "Every sari has a story.... Where it came from, how it was made, the occasions for which it was worn. Each of these details are part of the story." The tales--and saris--grow more colorful until Mama smiles sadly at one garment kept in a black silk bag, recalling when "India was not at peace," and its division forced her nani to make a "long and difficult journey" to a new home. Dwivedi's saturated illustrations are nearly tactile in their richness, hand-rendered in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil on paper. Ages 4-8. (May)

K-Gr 4--A young girl of South Asian background learns about her family history while admiring her mother's collection of traditional saris. In fact, Avani is caught buried in a pile of colorful saris on the bedroom floor. Rather than angered by her daughter's actions, Avani's mother takes the opportunity to explain the importance of the sari as a traditional Indian garment: "Every sari has a story" of where and when it was worn. The mother relates stories about her saris; each begins with its purchase, highlighting the regional style names throughout India. Then, the emotional memories are stirred by seeing and feeling each garment. The entire wardrobe retains both a family resonance and cultural heritage to be gradually passed on to Avani. The intricate craftsmanship of the cloths are highlighted in jewel-toned, saturated watercolor illustrations. Their vibrancy ensures each spread contains a rainbow of color. Colors are also given Indian descriptors, e.g., a golden yellow sari resembling kheer, a pudding. These details add to the informative and immersive nature of the story. The narrative adopts a quintessential childhood activity, playing dress-up, and transforms it into a sensitive exploration of Indian culture easily accessible to readers of all backgrounds. VERDICT An essential purchase on an underrepresented topic for school and public libraries.--Jessica A. Bushore