Sari sisters

PreS-Gr 2--Kayra and her younger sister Ruhi are very close, but on this day, Kayra's time to wear a sari (a traditional dress of the South Asian subcontinent) has arrived as she celebrates her coming-of-age. Ruhi is sad she does not have one, but this celebration presents her with an opportunity to showcase her creativity and resilience. With vocabulary words, this picture book for kindergarten-age children is more than a dressed-up story; it highlights family cultural ties and sisterhood as Kayra helps her younger sister overcome challenges. Although set to a small, black font, the festive narrative is spread playfully around the vignette-like and full-page gouache, colored pencil, and tissue paper collage illustrations, created in a soft palette of colors. Syed offers detail-oriented art featuring home decor that attests to the cultural setting of this story. Back matter contains an author's note about the saris. VERDICT An engaging and culturally thoughtful picture book for libraries, especially for a family story time focusing on mirror-and-window encounters with heritage families.--Kathia Ibacache

A young South Asian girl finds a way to feel included when her sister reaches a milestone. Ruhi is eager to kick off the weekly dance party with her sister, but Kayra isn't there. Her mother tells her that today is Kayra's big day. A curious Ruhi peeks under Kayra's closed door just as Kayra steps out dressed in her very first sari. Ruhi is enthralled by her sister, but a nervous Kayra keeps dismissing her. At a family gathering, all the aunties fuss over Kayra. Feeling ignored by her sister and aunts, Ruhi joins the other kids in the playroom; then, watching her cousins dance, Ruhi comes up with a plan. At home, Ruhi practices pleating, knotting, and tying scarves into a sari of her own. At their next family gathering, the cousins tie and drape colorful scarves as saris and invite everyone to their sari dance party. While Ruhi gets Kayra to the dance floor, her makeshift sari unravels, but Kayra helps knot it back together, confessing that she struggled initially, too. This sweet story bonds two sisters and shows the coming-of-age tradition of girls wearing their first sari. The gorgeous pink, yellow, and blue illustrations are richly embellished with intricate designs and patterns. Ruhi is an endearing main character, with her mismatched socks, sprouting ponytail, and love for her family. A winning story about mingling old and new traditions. (author's note, photos)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.