A BINDI CAN BE …

WRITTEN BY SUMA SUBRAMANIAM

ILLUSTRATED BY KAMALA NAIR

A young girl discovers that a bindi is more than a dot that goes between her brows. With the help of her paati, she learns how to make a bindi using a clay pot, turmeric, sandalwood powder and a dollop of ghee. They mix and mix and mix until, like magic, the mixture turns from yellow to bright red. Her bindi can be many things – big or small, shaped like a dot or a glowing crescent moon, worn to celebrate a festival or on any day of the year. But one thing is for certain: how much her bindi means to her. This lyrical picture book is a celebration of a cultural tradition that is steeped in history and practiced by millions of people around the world.

• “A beautiful introduction to a mark and decoration of enormous cultural significance makes this title recommended for all collections.” School Library Journal

• “Refutes the idea that this familiar forehead dot is merely decorative. ... Readers learn that there are many different names, designs, and levels of significance." Booklist