Mehndi Boy

September 1, 2023
An Ismaili Shia Muslim boy's interest in a traditional art form puts him at odds with his favorite uncle. Tehzeeb's family is helping plan his cousin Rahima's wedding. When visiting Rahima, they meet the artist finalizing her mehndi (alternatively known as henna, a plant-based paste used to decorate the skin) designs. Watching her create delicate designs, Tehzeeb is mesmerized by their beauty. As he practices drawing on family, friends, and neighbors, he earns the nickname Mehndi Boy and imagines himself as a famous mehndi artist. He brushes off unkind comments, but when his uncle curtly tells him that mehndi isn't for boys, an upset Tehzeeb is hesitant to practice anymore. But when things go wrong on the day of Rahima's pre-wedding ceremony, Tehzeeb has the chance to put things right--and to open up a dialogue with his uncle. Lively illustrations showcase expressive characters of varying brown hues in a loving family of Indo-Tanzanian heritage. Swahili and Gujrati phrases, foods, and traditions pepper the story, showcasing an underrepresented diasporic community. Tehzeeb's passion for art shines through in this well-crafted, sensitively rendered chapter book as the boy explores his anxieties about bucking traditional gender roles and his doubts about articulating his feelings to those he loves. A sweet story about loving oneself and expressing creativity through art. (mehndi trivia and activities) (Chapter book. 7-10)

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October 1, 2023
Grades 3-5 Tehzeeb is bursting with excitement about his cousin Rahima's wedding. He loves everything that goes into the preparations: new clothes, dance practice, and especially mehndi. Context clues will help unfamiliar readers recognize mehndi as the intricate henna patterns that decorate hands and feet during weddings and other cultural festivals in South Asia and its diaspora. Tehzeeb is artistic and exuberant, and his creativity is encouraged by all his loving family members. Rahima's mehndi artist encourages Tehzeeb's interest and teaches him some of her designs, and soon he is practicing on everyone. Given all of that, it comes as a huge blow when his beloved uncle expresses disapproval of boys applying mehndi. But in this fast-paced chapter book, replete with vibrant illustrations that supply visual details, all things are resolved for the best. This would be a lovely read-aloud, taking readers on an emotional journey along with Tehzeeb. Mehndi designs in the back matter will inspire creativity and fun.

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