Ravi’s Dancing Hands
Written by Sumana Seeboruth
Illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee
Published by Faber & Faber Children’s
Henna hands should be for everyone, and Ravi can’t wait to design his very own!
“Do henna hands last forever?” asked Ravi. “After a while it fades then disappears,” replied Madam-Mehndi. “But special henna hands never really go. They stay right here,” she said, pointing to Ravi’s heart. “They’re chosen out of love and no-one forgets the ones they love.”
It’s the day before Ruhi’s mehndi party and there is so much to prepare. Her lengha has been tailored, the guests have been invited. All her little brother Ravi wants to do is help her get ready for the big day.
But “mehndi and henna hands are not for boys.”
Spend the day with Ravi as he helps make the henna paste, decorate the home and dreams of his very own henna hands.
Primary ISBN: 9780571400638
Publication Date: October 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 05 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Arts, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Gender and Sexual, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Relationship: Siblings, Generational Differences, Generational Differences: Gender Roles, Identity: Body Image, Identity: Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: Unspecified
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
Click here for details about how we define our titles.
Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.