A Garden in My Hands

Meera Sriram ∙ Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Hardcover

Published on Apr 18, 2023 | 40 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Apr 18, 2023 | 40 Pages

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Grades Preschool – 3
Ages 4–8

This touching picture book celebrates the custom of applying henna for special occasions through a mother and daughter who share family memories and stories.

The sweet smell of henna, and stories we carry, fill us with pride of a faraway home.

There’s a wedding tomorrow! And one little girl sits patiently while her mother tenderly applies intricate, delicate henna designs on her hands. As she does, she shares family stories—about weddings, monsoons, and ancestors long gone. The little girl must be careful to protect her hands as the henna dries—one smudge could ruin a story! After a whole night of anticipation, when the flakes are washed away, what will they reveal?
Lyrical text pairs with vibrant illustrations for this poignant picture book that blooms with heart, connects us to our roots, and sweetly reminds us of the the garden of love we curate with those closest to us.

★ “An intimate, lyrical story about an ancient artistic tradition.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "[A] vibrantly rendered picture book." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Vibrant colors and traditional South Asian motifs complement the narrative." —Booklist

"Filled with love, imagination, and just the right amount of whimsy, this is a colorful introduction to how henna is used, especially in South Asian cultures." —School Library Journal

"A charming multicultural story." —HubPages

ISBN 9780593427101 (Hardcover)
Published on Apr 18, 2023
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 40
Dimensions 10 x 9
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD530L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

ISBN 9780593427118 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Apr 18, 2023
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 40
Dimensions 10 x 9
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD530L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

ISBN 9780593427125 (Ebook)
Published on Apr 18, 2023
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 40
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: AD530L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

Meera Sriram

Meera Sriram grew up in India and moved to the U.S. at the turn of the millennium. She is the author of several picture books, including A Garden in My Hands and The Spice Box. Her books have been selected Best Book of the Year by School Library Journal, Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), and Bank Street College, and have received starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. She’s a two-time recipient of the South Asia Book Award. An electrical engineer in her past life, she now enjoys writing for children and advocating for early and multicultural literacy. Meera loves yoga and chai, and lives with her husband and two children in Berkeley, California.

Sandhya Prabhat

Sandhya Prabhat is an independent animator and illustrator based in the Bay Area, California, who hails from Chennai, India. She holds an MFA degree in animation and digital arts from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia and a bachelor’s degree in literature from Stella Maris College. She has illustrated several picture books for independent publishers, including I Am Brown and Today I Am.