In this critically-acclaimed book inspired by the author’s hometown of Chennai, India, a girl explores the vibrant rainbow of delights in a southern Indian street market as she searches for a gift for her amma (mother). Educational endnotes explain all the items on sale and introduce readers to markets around the world.
Meera Sriram grew up in India and moved to the U.S in 1999. An engineer in the past, she now enjoys writing, leading early literacy programs and advocating for diverse bookshelves. Meera is the author of The Yellow Suitcase and has also co-authored several books in India. She believes in the transformative power of stories and likes to write about people, places and experiences less visible in children's literature.
Mariona Cabassa is a native of Catalonia, Spain, who has illustrated over 80 children’s books. She studied at art school in Barcelona, followed by further research in Strasbourg, France. Her many subsequent years of working as an illustrator, painter, installation maker and tattoo artist reflect her fascination with form and her desire to explore different palettes. Mariona’s technique combines water-based paints, pencils and a digital touch to create rich and detailed illustrations, bursting with color and movement
★ “An excellent story for young readers to enhance their understanding of color and an aspect of traditional Indian culture” – School Library Journal, starred review
★ “A must-have for primary libraries seeking fresh material” – Foreword Reviews, starred review
“A beautiful exploration of color, a cultural touchstone, and an engaging read-aloud” – Booklist
“A culturally authentic journey” – Kirkus Reviews
“Sriram’s spare, lyrical text powers an engaging narrative brimming with sensory details that make every scene come alive” – Jama’s Alphabet Soup
