Nadia's Hands

Reach for this book when your child is feeling self-conscious about being the center of attention or is struggling to reconcile their cultural traditions with their everyday American life. It beautifully addresses the quiet anxiety of a child who feels like their heritage makes them 'different' and provides a roadmap for turning that worry into a sense of pride and belonging. Nadia is a young Pakistani-American girl chosen to be a flower girl in her aunt's traditional wedding. As her hands are decorated with intricate mehndi patterns, she worries they look like permanent stains that will mark her as an outsider at school. Through the warmth of her multigenerational family and the beauty of the ceremony, she begins to see the art on her skin as a vital link to her history and a gift to her family. It is a gentle, realistic exploration of identity suitable for children ages 5 to 9.