BHANGRA BABY

A rhyming introduction to bhangra.

A toddler of South Asian descent watches the rest of the family dance bhangra, which the Sehgals describe in an authors’ note as a Punjabi folk dance. An adult notices the child imitating the dancers and invites the little one onto the dance floor to learn some traditional moves. Bhangra Baby’s brother and mother teach the youngster footwork, while the rest of the group guides the toddler in moving shoulders, hands, and legs in steps that the authors name in the backmatter. A drummer beats on the dhol, while the crowd yells out, “Balle! Balle!” (Hindi for “hooray”). By the end, the baby is an expert—albeit tired—dancer who bows triumphantly. The book’s fluorescent palette channels the energy of a bhangra dance floor, while the text provides a rhythmic tone well suited to the subject. Characters are depicted with uniform hair textures but varied skin tones. The small text can, at times, feel difficult to find amid the busy colors and details on every page. Overall, though, the combination of words and images results in an entertaining introduction to the fundamentals of bhangra and a sweet tribute to Punjabi culture. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Sure to have readers on their feet dancing along.