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INDIGO HANDS

Name: INDIGO HANDS
Author: Sita Singh
ISBN: 9780593569740

by Sita Singh ; illustrated by Maithili Joshi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 25, 2026

Visually vibrant and illuminating.

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A young Indian child learns the ancient craft of indigo dyeing.

Neela is excited to accompany Dadu (Grandfather) to his studio. They walk to a farm where sari-clad women are harvesting indigo leaves, which are immediately taken to be soaked in tanks to yield their deepest hue. After fermentation and oxidation, the leaves eventually turn into blue paste. At Dadu’s studio, Neela is mesmerized by the myriad shades of blue. Both of them bow before a dried cake of dye that gives color to fabrics and yarns. The child learns to mix dye in vats set into the earthen floor, vats that have been filled and stirred by generations of dyers. The youngster even dip-dyes some fabric in indigo—and, at book’s close, wraps baby brother Suneel with the cloth. Joshi’s bright illustrations are interspersed with poster-style pages—framed vignettes with indigo and white borders and captions that pop. Though at times Singh’s verbose text drags, the author clearly lays out the steps of dyeing while also making clever use of names (Neela means blue, while Suneel means good blue). In both artwork and text, the love between grandfather and grandchild is palpable; dyeing truly is a family affair. Backmatter rounds out the work with an author’s note, further facts about indigo, a glossary, and resources.

Visually vibrant and illuminating. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026

ISBN: 9780593569740

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Anne Schwartz/Random

Review Posted Online: June 15, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
MANGO MEMORIES
by Sita Singh ; illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

- BOOK REVIEW
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
by Sita Singh ; illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)