0
    • Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
    0 0
    Download high-resolution image

    Nadia's Hands

    Author Karen English
    Illustrated by Jonathan Weiner
    Ebook
    Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers
    On sale Sep 08, 2020 | 32 Pages | 9781635924466
    Grades K-2
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    See Additional Formats
    Saturday is Auntie Laila's wedding day and Nadia has been chosen as flower girl. The morning of the ceremony, Auntie Amina prepares Nadia's hands in the traditional way. Using henna, a natural dye, she creates intricate designs, called mehndi, on Nadia's hands. But Nadia is worried. Mehndi lasts a long time and doesn't wash off right away. When she goes to school on Monday, what will her classmates think of her hands? Will they understand that mehndi is part of her Pakistani heritage? By the afternoon, Nadia is swept up in the excitement of the wedding. Now she can't wait till Monday, when she can "share her hands from Pakistan" with the kids at school. Karen English's loving story of a Pakistani-American girl, who comes to an understanding of the rich culture she has inherited, is vividly illustrated by Jonathan Weiner.
    Karen English is the author of Just Right Stew, along with many other books for children. She lives in Los Angeles, California. View titles by Karen English
    Jonathan Weiner is an artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries across the United States. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, he lives in New York City. View titles by Jonathan Weiner
    CCBC Choices —COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER

    “How the strength of time-honored traditions and the warmth and love of a large
    extended family transform Nadia’s feelings about her hands make an affecting . . . story.
    Weiner’s pastel illustrations amplify the text; he shows Nadia’s ambivalence in her face
    and posture, and conveys both her pleasure at her important role in the wedding and her
    reluctance to be different at school. When she comes to terms with those fears, her smile
    is radiant.”—Kirkus Reviews

    “The best pictures focus closely on the details of Nadia’s amber hands, decorated with deep orange flowers and swirls of stars, as she comes to see the richness of her tradition and what it means to her loving extended family. Children will enjoy the wedding story, and many will recognize how a family custom can be a source of both embarassment and pride.”— Booklist

    “Useful as a cultural variation on a popular theme.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

    “Weiner’s oil pastels depict the glowing colors and delicate tracery of mehndi, and should intrigue the young reader.”—Children’s Literature

    “A redeeming story that introduces this beautiful, elaborate traditional art form that has recently gained much popularity in the United States.” —Multicultural Review

    "Nadia’s Hands shows not only what henna is, but also many of the traditions and cultural aspirations many Pakistani Americans have. It is a celebration of family, a realization that sometimes being a kid is hard, and a wonderful discovery that sometimes those things that make us different aren’t bad or wrong. They not only make us who we are but make us special and can be beautiful too. Drawn in beautiful oil pastels, the drawings come to life with a vibrancy of their own. Nadia’s Hands is a joy to read and a joy if you simply want to look at the pictures."—Wisconsin Muslim Journal

    About

    Saturday is Auntie Laila's wedding day and Nadia has been chosen as flower girl. The morning of the ceremony, Auntie Amina prepares Nadia's hands in the traditional way. Using henna, a natural dye, she creates intricate designs, called mehndi, on Nadia's hands. But Nadia is worried. Mehndi lasts a long time and doesn't wash off right away. When she goes to school on Monday, what will her classmates think of her hands? Will they understand that mehndi is part of her Pakistani heritage? By the afternoon, Nadia is swept up in the excitement of the wedding. Now she can't wait till Monday, when she can "share her hands from Pakistan" with the kids at school. Karen English's loving story of a Pakistani-American girl, who comes to an understanding of the rich culture she has inherited, is vividly illustrated by Jonathan Weiner.

    Author

    Karen English is the author of Just Right Stew, along with many other books for children. She lives in Los Angeles, California. View titles by Karen English
    Jonathan Weiner is an artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries across the United States. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, he lives in New York City. View titles by Jonathan Weiner

    Praise

    CCBC Choices —COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER

    “How the strength of time-honored traditions and the warmth and love of a large
    extended family transform Nadia’s feelings about her hands make an affecting . . . story.
    Weiner’s pastel illustrations amplify the text; he shows Nadia’s ambivalence in her face
    and posture, and conveys both her pleasure at her important role in the wedding and her
    reluctance to be different at school. When she comes to terms with those fears, her smile
    is radiant.”—Kirkus Reviews

    “The best pictures focus closely on the details of Nadia’s amber hands, decorated with deep orange flowers and swirls of stars, as she comes to see the richness of her tradition and what it means to her loving extended family. Children will enjoy the wedding story, and many will recognize how a family custom can be a source of both embarassment and pride.”— Booklist

    “Useful as a cultural variation on a popular theme.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

    “Weiner’s oil pastels depict the glowing colors and delicate tracery of mehndi, and should intrigue the young reader.”—Children’s Literature

    “A redeeming story that introduces this beautiful, elaborate traditional art form that has recently gained much popularity in the United States.” —Multicultural Review

    "Nadia’s Hands shows not only what henna is, but also many of the traditions and cultural aspirations many Pakistani Americans have. It is a celebration of family, a realization that sometimes being a kid is hard, and a wonderful discovery that sometimes those things that make us different aren’t bad or wrong. They not only make us who we are but make us special and can be beautiful too. Drawn in beautiful oil pastels, the drawings come to life with a vibrancy of their own. Nadia’s Hands is a joy to read and a joy if you simply want to look at the pictures."—Wisconsin Muslim Journal

    Additional formats

    Related Articles

    Social Studies & History

    Books for Black History Month

    In honor of Black History Month this February, we are highlighting essential fiction and nonfiction for students, teachers, and parents to share and discuss this month and beyond. Join Penguin Random House Education in celebrating the contributions of Black authors and illustrators by exploring the titles here: BLACK HISTORY – ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TITLES Explore these

    Read more

    Books for Black History Month

    Social Studies & History

    Penguin Random House Elementary Education

    © 2026 Penguin Random House

    Back to Top
    0
    Wish List (0)