My Dadima Wears a Sari

Book excerpt: An Indian grandmother and her American granddaughter explore culture, imagination, and individuality through a sari. Every day, Rupa's grandmother wears a beautiful Indian sari. Some are made of cotton and others of fine silk. Each is brightly colored and very pretty. "Don’t you ever want to wear a green dress like me?" Rupa asks. But Dadima prefers to wear her traditional saris. Dadima shares all the wonderful things that saris can do—from becoming an umbrella in a rainstorm to providing a deep pouch to carry seashells. Soon Rupa's own imagination is sparked as she envisions saris protecting her in the scary Gir Jungle, bandaging up an injured knee, and holding a special secret for her and Dadima to share. Inspired by Kashmira Sheth's American-born daughters' curiosity, My Dadima Wears a Sari introduces readers to this wardrobe staple from the Indian subcontinent, the different styles and ways it can be worn, and its beauty and benefits. Yoshiko Jaeggi's graceful, fabric-inspired watercolor illustrations offer readers a glimpse into the culture and customs of India, while reinforcing universal themes of love and the importance of family. An author's note explores Sheth's childhood memories of wearing her first saris and back matter photos display the process of wrapping and wearing one.