My best friend's bangles

Best friends Selvi and Divya each miss their ammas, who live in another country, working in domestic positions and sending the proceeds home. Still, the two girls have each other for riding bikes to school, playing dress-up, and eating pittu with sugar. When Divya one day arrives on a bike wearing rainbow bangles, explaining that they're gifts from her recently returned amma, Selvi smiles, but "my heart falls with a thump." Overwhelmed with thoughts of her own amma, she snaps at her friend, an act that sends "those too-bright, too-loud, too-everything bangles" to the ground. Joshi's digital images suggest bangles clinking through curling waves of rainbow swirls, and the bracelets work as a visual framing device as their bright hues represent a shared rainbow for the reconciled friends in this work of longing and love. An author's note discusses Sri Lanka's colonial history. Characters cue as South Asian. Ages 4--8. (June)

A cherished friendship is rocked by jealousy. Selvi and Divya do everything together. They bike to school, play dress-up, and share meals; they both deeply miss their mothers. The children's ammas work overseas as domestic helpers, returning home once a year. One day, Selvi notices Divya's new rainbow bangles--a present from her mother, who's just come home. The clinking bangles remind Selvi of Amma's absence. When Divya tries to share her bangles, Selvi yells and throws them away. Remorseful, Selvi later approaches Divya's house, but the sound of laughter makes Selvi wonder if Divya really needs a friend now that she has her mother. Selvi is starting to bike away slowly in the falling rain when Divya suddenly shows up. Selvi apologizes: "I just wish my amma came back too." Divya slides some of her bangles onto Selvi's hand: "Now we'll each have our own rainbow for gloomy days." Sensing the quiet note in Divya's voice, Selvi asks if her mother is leaving. As the sun comes out, Divya smiles and says that Selvi's mother will be home soon with presents to share. This lyrical story, set in a Sri Lankan tea plantation, reflects the reality of many children who grow up with a parent who works far away. The children's deep bond, briefly fractured by feelings of jealousy, shines throughout the thoughtful writing. Colorful illustrations capture their lush surroundings and moments of joy and sadness. A moving story about friendship, heartache, and making amends. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.