NANI CAMP

The team behind Hair Twins (2021) reunites for another tale of the ties that bind.

Padma’s parents have gone away for a “babymoon” (a vacation for expectant parents before an upcoming birth), so the child is spending time with Nani (Hindi and Urdu for maternal grandmother). Nani may be wrinkled and gray, but she’s full of life, and “Nani Camp,” as the two have termed their weekend, promises to be a good time. Nani awakens Padma by singing a Bollywood song; the two then hold a treasure hunt, have a water balloon fight, and tie-dye T-shirts, trailed by two frisky pups. At the “dining hall,” they create a “make-your-own-dosa station”; their most inspired creation involves rainbow sprinkles. While Nani naps, Padma sneaks off for an art project—decorating rocks—but gets paint everywhere. Nani remains upbeat even after she discovers the mess; they clean up and tell stories before roasting marshmallows and snuggling up in a tent in the backyard. Though Mirchandani’s text is occasionally on the wordy side, it nevertheless exudes love and tenderness; the author also lightly infuses the narrative with references to the child’s South Asian heritage. Hatam’s childlike illustrations complement the text well. The final scene depicts the whole family, including the protagonist’s turbaned Sikh father and pregnant mother, clad in matching tie-dye outfits; kids about to become big siblings should find this one especially meaningful.

A heartwarming intergenerational tale; doting grannies and their grandkids will be charmed.