Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
As dusk falls at the start of this culturally rich bedtime picture book, a family of Indian heritage surrounds a wide-eyed infant: "Crickets sing at twilight's gloam/ Night birds warble, creatures roam// My sweet baby, here at home/ Your cradle waits for you." Subsequent pages show the family amid clouds and swirls, while the narrator calls upon major deities of the Hindu pantheon to bless the child ("May mighty Durga, fierce and true,/ guard your slumbers, all night through"). Further invocations draw on American symbols ("Land of the brave, home of the free") and the earth itself ("sun and wind and fire") in petitioning strength and protection for the youth. Lushly rendered, dreamlike illustrations from Ali (Babajoon's Treasure), in blues, golds, greens, and pinks, seem to evoke the iconography of South Indian Hindu temples, while spot illustrations throughout highlight lore and traditions. On one spread, "joyful Krishna, prince of tunes," ensconced in a leaflike motif, gazes across the book's gutter at the delighted child. Lilting rhymes from Rajan Gopal (The Desert Queen) drive this tender familial lullaby with devotional cadences. Extratextual definitions of Tamil endearments appear throughout. Ages 3--5. (Dec.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A South Asian family gathers around for a baby's bedtime. Loving parents and grandparents sing a soft tune--inspired by a Malayalam lullaby from the author's childhood--coaxing the tot toward a cradle, where delightful dreams await. The baby lands in the lap of the goddess Durga, who will "guard your slumbers." Other Hindu deities appear: Saraswati ("heavenly guide"), Lord Ganesha ("beloved seer"), and Krishna "prince of tunes," who "will trill his flute and hum and croon." The family hopes that their baby will forge connections with their ancestors and shared traditions. As the infant drifts off to a blissful sleep, they call upon the blessings of nature and wish for a bright future where "hurdles crumble to debris." This calming story weaves a gentle circle of love. Tamil endearments intertwine with the elders' hopes, blessings, and prayers for the newest member of the family. Bold images in rich blues, sunset yellows, and dusky oranges showcase the Hindu gods in their regalia. By featuring Mohiniattam, Kathakali, and Onam dancers along with Oppana and Margamkali, which are traditional dances of the Kerala Muslim and Christian communities (respectively), the illustrator gives a nod to the diverse religious traditions of Kerala. A lullaby that radiates feelings of protection and hope.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
