The Beautiful Layers of Me

by Sophia Payne, Ruchi Mhasane (illustrator)

A young girl gains the confidence to participate in her family’s tradition—and be fully herself—in a vibrant ode to difference and love from a new voice in picture books.

Ameena can’t wait for her auntie’s Nikah. She’s never been to a wedding, and today there is one in her own garden! After putting on the salwar kameez that Babu gave her, with its soft layers of floaty fabric, she feels like a princess, skipping down the garden path. “Oh wow!” comes a friendly voice over the fence. “I wish I had pajamas like that!” Suddenly Ameena, her cheeks hot, starts to should she wear something else? In a gentle text capturing all the nuances of a first cultural experience, Sophia Payne follows a child’s passage from self-doubt to worry to pride, while Ruchi Mhasane’s expressive illustrations render the wedding garb in glowing colors and patterns that will have young readers wanting to join in the celebration.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Cultural

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

British Indo-Caribbean #kidlit author. Rep'd by @alicelovesbooks. Debut #Faruqandthewiriwiri out now!

Reviews

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ameena's auntie's wedding is today, and she is excited to wear her new salwar kameez--until one of her friends refers to her outfit as "pajamas." A well-told story about taking pride in ones culture and identity.

Themes: Clothing, Wedding, Family
Age range: Toddler-Early Elementary

[Hannah]

I mean, it's a touch cheesy and right on the nose, but the art is lovely and it's nice to see a wedding picture book that isn't about a bride in white, so that's nice!

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Payne tells the story of a young girl, Ameena, excited to wear her new salwar kameez for her auntie’s nikah. But then a friend makes a comment that suddenly has Ameena feeling self conscious and wanting to wear something more familiar to outside cultures.  Ironically, of course, when she finds a way to wear a dress to the celebration, questions from her cousin lead Ameena to wish she hadn’t felt so embarrassed by her beautiful salwar kameez.  Payne does a wonderful job highlighting the inner conflict of identity in America, where one’s family and heritage are often viewed as “other” to white Americans.  Ameena initially hesitates to embrace what she truly finds beautiful because of the judgment of someone who doesn’t understand. With the support of those who do, she honors herself and takes pride in what she knows is right. The story is beautiful and tender, and while it is clearly written and centered for young Indian girls, it also serves as a good lesson for those outside of this culture.

Mhasane’s watercolor and pencil illustrations (finished digitally) match the tenderness of the story, and emphasize the beauty of Ameena’s culture and clothes.  Mhasane represents the strength of beauty in the salwar kameez, depicted in a vibrant peachy orange, and contrasts that with the cold blue dress when Ameena decides to forgo the traditional clothing.  And while the matching flowers in the background highlight beauty in both choices, the strong contrast between the two colors reflects Amenna’s inner conflict.  Mhasane’s illustrations provide comfort, with her soft technique and color palette wrapping the reader in a silky soft dupatta of their own. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet picture book about being appreciative and proud of your heritage and layers by an Indo-Guyanese author focuses around a Nikah. It even defines a Nikah on the first page as an Islamic wedding. Aside from that there is nothing in the text or visible in the illustrations that hightlight Islam or any faith. The book is rich with warmth as a girl vasilates between being excited to wear her first her salwar kameez, and being nervous it looks like pajamas. The battle with her is made more difficult as she sees her mother in a beautiful sari, a cousin struggling with a duputta, and an outfit change that doesn't embolden her either. The layers of her clothes, the layers of her family are joyfully illustrated. The little girls journey resonated with me as a child of multiple layers myself, but will similarly appeal to all readers who have, or can imagine finding themselves in the clothes they wear.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable book about celebrating ones own culture. I like that our lead, Ameena, doubts herself because of an innocent comment on another child's part, and that the child later apologizes when they realize they were in the wrong. Of course, I don't like that Ameena doubts herself, but I do like that the book shows how self-doubt can be caused by a seemingly "harmless" and even well-meaning comment.

I also like that it's Ameena's Babu* (uncle, dad?) who fixes her tunic/dress.

The illustrations are adorable and lovely.

This could maybe work well in an upper elementary school storytime about embracing your culture/celebrating others, or about fashion around the world.

*a term of endearment for a male, but I can't tell from the book what the relationship is

[Goatllama · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the rather overwrought title I really came into this book prepared to tear it apart, but it's actually quite good. The art is beautiful, and there's only one bit that really bashes you over the head with the "message" (though Lordy does it bash hard). That, and the lead character doing the whole "the true layers was the friends we made along the way" thing are what take this down to a strong 3 point something, but I'm rounding up due to pleasant surprise.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story introducing children to different cultural clothing. I've always loved how pretty salwar kameez and sari are and I enjoyed learning more.

I won't own this book personally, but I'll definitely check it out from the library again.

[Farida · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book with cute, darling and adorable illustrations. It is about a little girl who first hesitates then accepts who she is, her culture and traditions

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations done in watercolor and pencil finished digitally and the predominant coral color is gorgeous illustrate the story of a young girl and how she feels about clothing to wear to a wedding.
Ameena is attending her aunt’s nikah(Islamic wedding ceremony) and her friend says an unkind remark about her clothing which is traditional South Asian garment, a salwar kamerz.
A beautiful story and illustrations allowing many readers to learn an aspect of another culture.
And I wank an salwar kamerz it appeared cool, comfortable, and adorable.