Another one of my most anticipated titles of 2021 arrived last week, so today I’m very excited to tell you all about Bindu’s Bindis by Supriya Kelkar. Illustrated by Parvati Pillai, Bindu’s Bindis is a wonderful picture book about self confidence, acceptance, and a young girl’s relationship with her grandmother.
This book is all about a young girl named Bindu, who loves bindis. Bindis are forehead decorations worn by women in South Asia, and Bindu loves wearing them. Bindu gets her bindis from her Nani who sends them from far away. But when Nani comes to visit, she will deliver the bindis in person!
During Nani’s visit, both Nani and Bindi face challenges that call for self confidence. From encountering protestors in the street to gathering courage for a talent show, Bindu and Nani stand tall and support each other. I love the relationship Bindu has with her grandmother, and the way Nani provides a positive example for Bindu.
The illustrations are bold and striking, but I also love the role they play in the book. Most of the story is told through clues in the illustrations, making it a great read aloud. There are plenty of opportunities for pausing and discussing the visual cues in the illustrations on each page.
This Own Voices book provides a great opening for conversations about why people may dress differently while celebrating the bindi. There is also some great information in the back matter about bindis that I was unaware of, perfect for readers who want to learn more.
Bindu’s Bindis officially releases tomorrow (March 16, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)
Supriya Kelkar is an author, screenwriter, and illustrator who grew up in the Midwest region of the US. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at supriyakelkar.com.
Parvati Pillai is a visual communication designer & illustrator based in Finland. To learn more about her and her work, be sure to take a look at her Instagram page.
I also want to thank Sterling Children’s Books for generously providing me with a review copy of Bindu’s Bindis. I’m happy to report that it lived up to my anticipation, and I’m so grateful to be able to share it with you all.
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