Music of the bells

In this culturally anchored picture book from Rao-Robinson and Prabhat, a child embodies the idea that "all dance tells a story, but only I can tell mine." Though young Neela danced Kathak in India, "the kids here take ballet." The girl loves ballet and her new friends, but it's been more than a year since Neela donned her Kathak ankle bells, and she misses them as well as her grandmother's ragas and her uncle's bansuri flute. After Neela signs up to do a Kathak routine at an annual showcase, she worries that her classmates won't like it, until a conversation with Amma reminds her of its joys. And the performance, described with simile-filled language ("like picking fresh mangoes with friends/ and making garlands with aunties"), connects both dance forms with moments past and present. Weaving textile-like patterns throughout scenes that spotlight arrayed poses, vibrant digital illustrations evoke memory and movement. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3--7. (Mar.)

A young girl reconnects with her Indian heritage while dancing Kathak. While preparing for ballet class, Neela spies her Indian dance clothes. She loves ballet and the new friends she's made since moving from India, but she misses the jingle of her ankle bells. They remind her of the raga her grandmother sang and the bansuri flute her uncle played--and of Kathak, an Indian classical dance. At her dance studio's annual showcase, she chooses to perform a Kathak dance. It's been a long time since she danced Kathak, and she fumbles while practicing, but slowly the tinkling of her ankle bells centers her. On the day of the showcase, the rhythm of the bells fills her with music, and she's flooded with memories of picking fresh mangoes, making garlands with aunties, and drawing rangolis with loved ones in India. Neela then incorporates ballet moves into her performance as she creates a dance fusion that celebrates both her homes. Rao-Robinson's affirming, sensory-rich text flows evocatively, while Prabhat's vibrant illustrations make vivid use of shadow and gesture to capture the energy of the dance and create joyous movement. A thoughtful take on bridging cultures and expressing emotions through art. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.