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My Bindi
In this universal story about embracing who we are and where we come from, a young girl finds the magic and power of wearing a bindi for the first time, in this moving and lyrical picture book debut from Gita Varadarajan. There in the mirror, I see a shining star. My mother’s joy, my father’s pride. And then I see something I see me. Divya is scared to put on the bindi for the first time. What if she gets made fun of? What will it feel like? But Amma assures her that her bindi will bring protection. After Divya looks inside Amma’s special box to find the perfect bindi to put on, she gazes in the mirror and discovers a new side of herself, and it gives her strength. In this tender debut picture book, author Gita Varadarajan crafts a powerful story about belonging, embracing your heritage, and believing in yourself. Archana Sreenivasan's vibrant and magical illustrations bring to life this journey of self-discovery. My Bindi is a universal message of the importance finding oneself and celebrating the unique beliefs and experiences that make us who we are.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published August 16, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 20, 2022
My Bindi
by Gita Varadarajan
Illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
Orchard Books
Scholastic Inc.
2022
40 pages
ISBN: 9781338598810
Beautifully illustrated and deftly told, My Bindi is an excellent choice for the multi-cultural classroom and should be on every family's bookshelf, The world needs more acceptance and love, and through picture books, young children come into contact with other places and people.
Divya asks her mother, her Amma, why she wears a bindi, even when she sleeps. Her mother explains that Hindu women and girls wear their bindi because it's their third eye that can look inside of them and protect them.
Divya is worried about wearing a bindi for the first time to school. She dreads what her classmates will say and the teasing she'll endure. They might think she's weird. Amma explains that when she wears her bindi, she feels it. Divya isn't convinced, but Amma allows her to choose her own bindi from a box of dozens of sparkly, beautiful bindis. Divya chooses one that looks like the sun.
The next day, the teacher, Mrs. Gonzalez, asks Divya to tell the class about her bindi. She gathers strength from her bindi and tells the class what it means. She is proud to be her and different, unique and unafraid.
Simply a beautiful book with a girl who finds her voice and claims it, I highly recommend My Bindi for young readers K-grade 4.
by Gita Varadarajan
Illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
Orchard Books
Scholastic Inc.
2022
40 pages
ISBN: 9781338598810
Beautifully illustrated and deftly told, My Bindi is an excellent choice for the multi-cultural classroom and should be on every family's bookshelf, The world needs more acceptance and love, and through picture books, young children come into contact with other places and people.
Divya asks her mother, her Amma, why she wears a bindi, even when she sleeps. Her mother explains that Hindu women and girls wear their bindi because it's their third eye that can look inside of them and protect them.
Divya is worried about wearing a bindi for the first time to school. She dreads what her classmates will say and the teasing she'll endure. They might think she's weird. Amma explains that when she wears her bindi, she feels it. Divya isn't convinced, but Amma allows her to choose her own bindi from a box of dozens of sparkly, beautiful bindis. Divya chooses one that looks like the sun.
The next day, the teacher, Mrs. Gonzalez, asks Divya to tell the class about her bindi. She gathers strength from her bindi and tells the class what it means. She is proud to be her and different, unique and unafraid.
Simply a beautiful book with a girl who finds her voice and claims it, I highly recommend My Bindi for young readers K-grade 4.
March 28, 2022
A wonderful celebration of Hindu tradition/culture within a warm, understanding family and a recognition that sometimes it is hard for a child to celebrate who she/he is for fear of ridicule. Readers will understand the meaning importance of wearing a Bindi as well as learning to appreciate the culture of others.
November 27, 2022
A little girl discovers her own self-expression, empowerment and identity. How?
Through the selection of her first Bindi.
In this #OwnVoices read by both Hindi author and illustrator, we are given a unique glimpse into the community and beliefs of what Bindi represents.
The illustrations are exquisite and eye-catching and the text is a perfect perspective of a child. Delightful!
Through the selection of her first Bindi.
In this #OwnVoices read by both Hindi author and illustrator, we are given a unique glimpse into the community and beliefs of what Bindi represents.
The illustrations are exquisite and eye-catching and the text is a perfect perspective of a child. Delightful!
February 17, 2022
Really love the specificity of experience here, and it's an affirming story that should encourage other kids to be true to themselves in their own ways. The illustrations just ooze with pride and confidence!
Pair with The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family and The Many Colors of Harpreet Singhto discuss cultural milestones and traditions.
Pair with The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family and The Many Colors of Harpreet Singhto discuss cultural milestones and traditions.
February 21, 2022
The JOY this book brings! A sweet book that is educational about Hinduism, something we don't see as much in popular literature, in a way that children can understand. The illustrations are just gorgeous and will have you going back to look at them over and over.
December 4, 2022
Divya is coming of age and her parents decide she's ready to wear a bindi. She knows her mother wears it all the time and her father says it's part of their heritage to wear them, but Divya is worried that her peers will mock her for it and being too different. But when she sees her choice of bindis, she suddenly feels a connection. When she wears one, she feels her mother's joy and her father's pride, and happiness in herself. Upon going to school, everyone's curious to see what she wears on her head, which she gladly shares with them.
My Bindi is a well-written picture book about self identity and pride in one's ethnicity, as the author explains in her inspirations. In its colorful display, it shows the beliefs and symbol that the bindi represents for many Hindus. Beautifully written and drawn in sharing cultural diversity.
My Bindi is a well-written picture book about self identity and pride in one's ethnicity, as the author explains in her inspirations. In its colorful display, it shows the beliefs and symbol that the bindi represents for many Hindus. Beautifully written and drawn in sharing cultural diversity.
February 24, 2022
Simple and lovely.
November 11, 2024
“There in the mirror, I see a shinning star. My mother's joy, my father's pride. And then I see something else: I see me.”
↳ why i picked it: bought it for work.
↬ summary
Divya is ready for her bindi, but she is nervous about what other people will say in her class. This is an obstacle she must face with all her mighty to proudly wear her bindi.
↬ thoughts
THE ART IS BEAUTIFUL. Of course I have to start with that because oh my do I love the art style and all the colors.
Divya wants to wear her bindi. She sees her amma do it every day, and she wants it, however, the one thing holding her back is what everyone else in her class is going to say. It is sad that this is a reality, you know? And it is right there on the second page. It is the one thing holding her back, until one day she is brave enough to pick one, and it turns out, everyone in her class is curious but well-received of it. Her bindi gave her strength and power, and it became a part of her.
Not only does the book help other girls feel comfortable wearing their culture on their sleeves, but it also teaches kids to be kind in their curiosity. In this case, it teaches what a Bindi is and their importance to those who wear it.
The author and illustrator's notes at the end drive the point further home about the beauty of accepting one's culture and wearing it proudly. "As they live up to the model minority narrative, the idea of assimilating and fitting in is conveyed to them at a young age. I wrote this story to give every little Hindy girl the courage to embrace her culture and traditions."
— much love, anto
↳ why i picked it: bought it for work.
↬ summary
Divya is ready for her bindi, but she is nervous about what other people will say in her class. This is an obstacle she must face with all her mighty to proudly wear her bindi.
↬ thoughts
THE ART IS BEAUTIFUL. Of course I have to start with that because oh my do I love the art style and all the colors.
Divya wants to wear her bindi. She sees her amma do it every day, and she wants it, however, the one thing holding her back is what everyone else in her class is going to say. It is sad that this is a reality, you know? And it is right there on the second page. It is the one thing holding her back, until one day she is brave enough to pick one, and it turns out, everyone in her class is curious but well-received of it. Her bindi gave her strength and power, and it became a part of her.
Not only does the book help other girls feel comfortable wearing their culture on their sleeves, but it also teaches kids to be kind in their curiosity. In this case, it teaches what a Bindi is and their importance to those who wear it.
The author and illustrator's notes at the end drive the point further home about the beauty of accepting one's culture and wearing it proudly. "As they live up to the model minority narrative, the idea of assimilating and fitting in is conveyed to them at a young age. I wrote this story to give every little Hindy girl the courage to embrace her culture and traditions."
— much love, anto
October 9, 2022
When Divya's mother decides it's time for Divya to choose which bindi she will wear, she is so excited - they are all so beautiful - how will she choose? But she finds the perfect one. Her mother places it on her forehead. But, when Divya looks in the mirror, she is both proud and scared. What will her friends think? Many Hindu girls wear bindis but her friends aren't Hindu - will they understand its importance?
Divya knows it makes her different, but when the teacher asks her to tell the class about it, Divya is very brave. She has the courage to embrace her culture. Such a beautiful story about finding your voice, and not being afraid to be yourself. Sreenivasan's illustrations are cute. Hindu children will relate to Divya, and I think other children will enjoy "My Bindi" as well.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
Divya knows it makes her different, but when the teacher asks her to tell the class about it, Divya is very brave. She has the courage to embrace her culture. Such a beautiful story about finding your voice, and not being afraid to be yourself. Sreenivasan's illustrations are cute. Hindu children will relate to Divya, and I think other children will enjoy "My Bindi" as well.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
January 22, 2023
This book is about an Indian Hindu girl who lives away from India and isn't sure she will be welcomed when her classmates see her with the bindi on her forehead. It would make Divya different. Her mother wears a red dot all the time, and one day she comes to Divya with a box full of different bindis. The variety is exciting, and Divya chooses a sparkly sun. The kids at the school aren't as mean as she had imagined, and the teacher has Divya explain what a bindi is. Now she thinks being different and continuing the cultural symbols of her family are quite wonderful. The story is all about not being ashamed of your background.
May 29, 2023
Brimming with light- and energy-charged moments and beautiful and ornate bindis throughout the illustrations, MY BINDI is a total delight—complete with encouraging, self-affirming dialogue, lively similes, and sense-evoking wording. If you're looking for a wonderful picture book that features the meaning behind bindis, taking pride in your heritage, cultural sharing and learning, wearing what truly represents you, and self-discovery through gorgeous wording and depictions, look no further than MY BINDI!
September 6, 2022
Cute story of the internal struggle of a little girl who can't bring herself to embrace her Hindu Indian traditions of wearing a bindi like her amma (mom). Her mom explains how important it is to her and lets her choose from a dazzling box of them. Her classmates are curious and her teacher helps her explain the importance to her friends.
November 3, 2022
This is a lovely addition to books about Indian culture & traditions for young children.
It celebrates the beauty & joys of intergenerational family bonds through the wearing of a sacred bindi.
The illustrations are especially enticing.
It makes a fantastic addition to multicultural preschool libraries everywhere.
It celebrates the beauty & joys of intergenerational family bonds through the wearing of a sacred bindi.
The illustrations are especially enticing.
It makes a fantastic addition to multicultural preschool libraries everywhere.
January 13, 2023
A young girl is worried about standing out or being different from her classmates when her parents encourage her to wear a bindi to school.
Rounded up since the girl is able to find courage in sharing her culture.
Rounded up since the girl is able to find courage in sharing her culture.
September 26, 2022
Charming.
September 30, 2022
A young girl is passed down the Hindu tradition of wearing a third eye or Bindi. Preschool and up
Read
December 30, 2022this is an example of a book that i wish i’d seen in when i was younger. i was pleasantly surprised when i spotted this at the bookstore.
May 23, 2023
Great story to introduce the purpose of an Indian bindi to elementary students.
May 31, 2023
Proud of her bindi, she learns why to wear it and how to tell her classmates.
November 16, 2023
This was such a sweet book about a little girl and her experience of growing up Hindu. I loved the intricate illustrations!
December 11, 2025
why did this make me so emotional 🥹
July 10, 2022
Cute story about a girl embracing her Indian and Hindu heritage by wearing a bindi. Love the art style and the classroom is inclusive with kids with a variety of skin tones and a girl who uses a wheelchair (although it's not electric and has no hand rims). Is it feminist? Not really. But fun.
Update: Talking more to someone who has discussed this with people of the culture it's clear that this is a very flattened treatment with some harmful portrayals.
Update: Talking more to someone who has discussed this with people of the culture it's clear that this is a very flattened treatment with some harmful portrayals.
April 13, 2023
A beautifully illustrated story around cultural identity. Growing up in a different country can be challenging and it can be hard for children to be comfortable sharing their traditions especially when it means they stand out. The Indian girl in this picture book starts to wear a bindi at the direction of her parents and finds that her fears of classmates potential negative reactions are unfounded. There is a brief esoteric explanation of the practice which seemed appropriate for the target audience and made me want to find out more. I have mixed feeling about the book. On one hand there is parental pressure to adopt the cultural practice with the father declaring "she will be beautiful". She is not given the option to adopt the practice when she is ready. But there is a lovely feeling of pride and connection to family and culture which the book celebrates. Authentic voices in story and illustration.
May 11, 2023
We picked this book up from the library, excited for some Indian representation for the children. However, reading this book did not give me the warm fuzzy feeling I had hoped.
The little girl, the main character, is not ready to wear a bindi to school. She just wants to fit in with her classmates. It’s a very normal and natural feeling for anyone. Her parents invalidate her feelings and pressure her to wear it to school anyway. There is no asking, there is no discussion. Her mother just decided it for her.
Someone who has not gone to school as a young child outside of India does not realize how loaded that actually is. And it felt like a really tone deaf way to force beliefs. If there had been more nuance when introducing the concept, it would have been far more palatable.
Cute concept but extremely poorly executed. Should have consulted with some second gen Indian immigrants for this book.
The little girl, the main character, is not ready to wear a bindi to school. She just wants to fit in with her classmates. It’s a very normal and natural feeling for anyone. Her parents invalidate her feelings and pressure her to wear it to school anyway. There is no asking, there is no discussion. Her mother just decided it for her.
Someone who has not gone to school as a young child outside of India does not realize how loaded that actually is. And it felt like a really tone deaf way to force beliefs. If there had been more nuance when introducing the concept, it would have been far more palatable.
Cute concept but extremely poorly executed. Should have consulted with some second gen Indian immigrants for this book.
May 31, 2022
This is a great example of a book being a window for a reader. Trent did not know what a bindi was before we read this book, and it was such a perfect introduction as Divya begins wearing bindis to school. I also loved learning more about the meaning behind a bindi.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews