Asha and the toymaker

PreS-Gr 3--This picture book represents the beauty of India through color and pattern choices in the illustrations. The simple text introduces Asha and her family, then expands to a story of love and artistry. Papa creates amazing wooden toys to sell at the market to help provide for his family, but sometimes, Asha explains, he doesn't sell a single toy. Readers are immediately able to identify why that might be, as his beautiful though plain wooden toys are starkly contrasted with the bright colors and vivid patterns at the market. Because of Papa's past poverty, he wants Asha to concentrate on her studies and on creating a better life than he had as a child. He encourages her to focus more on school and less on painting, but Asha wants to prove to Papa that her art is not a waste of time and help him be a success. Mangal perfectly paces the story, all the while showing the strength of a family and the tenacity of a child; the text introduces a few Hindi words such as lakdi ki kathi and damaru. The pictures show representation of different skin tones and abilities, while also capturing the atmosphere of an Indian market. VERDICT With a well-told story whose simple illustrations convey complex emotions, this book will be a great addition to any library.--Jessica Clark

The daughter of a hardworking toymaker adds a splash of color to the family business. Asha believes that her father "makes the best wooden toys in India." He sells the toys in the market so he can afford to send Asha to school. Papa never went to school, and he tells Asha that she must study hard in order to take advantage of the opportunities he missed--opportunities that will keep her from going hungry. Aware that her father struggles to make ends meet, she secretly enters his workshop and, in an attempt to make his wares more enticing, paints all his toys. As Asha says, "A little bit of colorful paint makes anything beautiful." But will Papa appreciate her efforts, or will he feel that she has overstepped by focusing on her painting instead of her homework? The story's greatest strength is the layered, loving relationship between Asha and her father, and it explains Papa's past poverty with empathy. The conflict between the characters rings true, as does Asha's sweet and spunky narratorial voice. While the illustrations are whimsical and vibrant, the small text is sometimes awkwardly placed and difficult to find. Nevertheless, this tale of a loving father-daughter bond is sure to delight readers of all ages. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A tender depiction of a loving, working-class Indian family. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.