My Dadima Wears a Sari

by Kashmira Sheth

Book Overview

An Indian grandmother and her American granddaughter explore culture, imagination, and individuality through a collection of saris.

Every day, Rupa's grandmother wears a beautiful Indian sari. Each is brightly colored and very pretty. "Don't you ever want to wear a gray skirt and red blouse with round buttons like Mommy or 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.

Kashmira Sheth provides a warm, unique peek into Indian culture in this sensitive portrait of a grandmother and her American granddaughter. Hindi words defined and sprinkled throughout the text further add to the story's authenticity.

Yoshiko Jaeggi's sweeping, colorful, and fanciful watercolor illustrations capture the extraordinary bond of love that unites families across generations and cultures. A note from the author and instructions for wrapping a sari are included.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561453927
• ISBN13: 9781561453924
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.8" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

5 year old loves this book

My daughter chose this from the library and we have read it almost every night since. We are not Indian, but my daughter is mesmerized by the concept of the sari particularly from a fashion standpoint. Nearly every illustration pictures the dadima wearing a different sari and my daughter just loves the possibilities!

Warm, wonderful story of another culture

This is a wonderful story that shows the warm, loving relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughters. The story also shares the traditions of another culture, which is important for children if they are to accept and understand different ways of doing things. It is fun to find out all the things one can do with a sari, like using it to play hide-and-seek. Most girls (and their moms) would probably love to try on a sari, and they can do it in their imaginations with this delightful book. The pictures evoke the warm feeling of the relationship, and make the colors and the stories behind the saris come to life. A gem of a book!

Incredible book!

Both our children - aged 3 and 2 - love this book! The story is touching, the pictures are beautiful, and the pride it instills in one's Indian heritage (and saris in particular) is invaluable.

Indian in America

Beautiful sweet story that fosters pride in tradition. What a wonderful way to explain the tradition of sari's to my daughters and nieces.

A Sweet Story

This is a simple, sweet story that shows a loving relationship between a young girl and her grandmother. I liked the story because it teaches my daughter of both her heritage (Indian) and also it illustrates a special link between the girl and her grandmother. The text is well written and the illustrations are pretty.