∴ Review Round-Up

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Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes officially released on March 29, but the reviews are still coming in and I’ve got some catching up to do! CM: Canadian Review of Materials reviewed the book shortly before its release date and said: Mahak Jain has written a beautiful story with multicultural characters, and the themes of dance and the importance of learning about different cultures are all meaningful to young readers. Highly recommended. In their April issue, Quill & Quire said, Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes is a lovingly told and presented story, sure to captivate those interested in dance as it highlights the artistry and respective beauty of two esteemed classical dance styles. Booklist also reviewed the book for their May 1 issue. The review is behind a paywall online, but here’s a glimpse: This is a sweet story with charming illustrations. Back matter adds an interesting backstory and instructions for making ghungroo (anklets used in Bharatanatyam). It’s wonderful to see the book being embraced so positively! In addition to the above reviews, author and marketing expert extraordinaire Vicki Van Sickle mentioned the book on CTV’s Your Morning on April 4. Follow the link to watch the segment yourself!   

∴ CBC Fresh Air and Instagram Live

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I was recently interviewed on CBC Fresh Air, where I had the chance to speak to Jason D’Souza about Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes. We had a great conversation about the history of the two dance forms and the importance of cultural exchange. The interview aired live this past Sunday, March 20, at 8:40 a.m., and you can listen to the full recording here. I also had the incredible pleasure yesterday to do an #AuthorPlaydate with friend and fellow Annick Press author Leonarda Carranza. Over on Instagram, we had a live conversation with each other about our respective books (Carranza is the author of Abuelita and Me, illustrated by Rafael Mayani). You can watch our 20-minute conversation (forgive some of the tech issues we had at the beginning) on the Annick Press Instagram page!

∴ You’re Invited!

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Come celebrate the launch of Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes on Friday, March 25, 7:00 pm EST. The launch is taking place online and will feature an interview between Anu, the illustrator of the book, and myself, hosted by CBC’s Kirthana Sasitharan. Professional dancer Tharmeega will also be making an appearance, including a rare opportunity to watch a Bharatanatyam performance! Register here. Many thanks to Annick Press, Another Story Bookshop, and Toronto Lit Up for making the event possible.

∴ CBC Books Spring 2022

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Earlier this week, CBC Books included Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes in a list titled “33 Canadian picture books to watch for in spring 2022”! Check out the full list here. The list includes a number of incredible books to look forward to in the coming months, including In the Clouds by Elly MacKay! Elly illustrated my first picture book, Maya, and her books are breathtakingly beautiful: you’ll return and again just to stare at her art. Another book on the list I am looking forward to: Abuelita and Me by Leonarda Carranza (illust. by Rafael Mayani). The book is Leonarda’s debut, tackling the difficult subject of racism, and is also available in a Spanish edition! Also, a special shout-out to My Lala by Thomas King (illust. by Charlene Chua). I had the chance to read this delightful book before it released, and I highly highly recommend it and am looking forward to my final copy arriving!

∴ School Library Journal review

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Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes received its first trade review from School Library Journal! The full review is behind a paywall here, but here’s a little blurb from reviewer Maegan Rose: Vibrant colors and playful illustrations support the tightly told story and highlight movement…. A worthy addition to any library, and a necessary tool for helping children understand and develop cultural competency and compassion early on. The illustrations, done by Anu Chouhan, really are vibrant and playful, and Anu does an incredible job capturing a dynamic dance in a static form. And I’m so glad the reviewer noticed the colours: they’re my favourite part of the art, simultaneously retro and traditional!

∴ The Bookshelf Corner: Review

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The first review of my forthcoming picture book Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes has come in: Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes is a colorful celebration of dance. The story was enjoyable, the illustrations were divine, and I loved how diverse and inclusive all of the characters were. You can read the full review on The Bookshelf Corner’s website. So wonderful to learn that the book resonated with this reviewer! The picture book officially releases on March 29, 2022. Stay tuned for more book news!