Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree
Written by Susan Lynn Meyer
and Jaya Mehta
Illustrated by Parvati Pillai
Published by Beaming Books
When Nisha and her father set out to pick out a Christmas tree, she wants a big tree, but her Baba wants a small one. Nisha tries to persuade Baba they need a big tree to fit the new ornaments from India. She’ll even help pull the wagon! But Baba still insists on a small tree. So when Baba and Nisha surprisingly agree on the same tree, she suddenly isn’t sure about it. Is the tree they both like big or small? In the end, the tree is the perfect size—for the ornaments, for their apartment, and for sharing Christmas cookies and silvery burfi. Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree captures a familiar Christmas tradition through charming text and illustrations.
Based on a true story from author Jaya Mehta’s childhood, the book beautifully demonstrates a blend of cultures between Nisha’s father, who is Hindu, and her mother, who is Christian, as they celebrate Christmas together in their Brooklyn Heights apartment. Backmatter shares more about blending cultures, including examples from both authors’ lives.
Primary ISBN: 9781506496467
Publication Date: September 2024
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Celebrations, Celebrations: Christmas, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Identity: Multiracial, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Christian, Religious Background: Hindu
Setting: United States (New York City NY)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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