Pashmina

I have been looking forward to this book for a long time. I am familiar with Nidhi Chanani's work as an artist and have been following her career as a fan and admirer for many years. Though my expectations were high, she did not disappoint. The story is heartwarming, inspiring, funny, delightful, and thought provoking. The illustrations are beautiful, clever, and so well-executed, not only narratively, but also as works of art in their own right. It took a conscious effort to not read it in one sitting, as I wanted to prolong the experience and enjoyment of my first read. Having finished it, I can say it will definitely be enjoyed multiple times in the future. I highly recommend Pashmina, and look forward to her next project(s).

Nidhi Chanani's debut graphic novel, recounting a second generation teenage Indian-American's quest to understand her identity is charming and sweet without being saccharine. The gentle touch of magical realism embodied in its title garment is not overdone, yet provocative. Readers are introduced to contemporary Hindu practice as it is lived, to the fast changing character of Indian society, and to varieties of family both created and inherited in a short narrative that has a serious undertone beneath its light hearted surface. Chanani's unique, joyous illustration style shuns photorealism in favor of capturing the feelings imbued in what she depicts, and the contrast between the black and white pages and the color ones is used to great effect. Chanani is a young artist with a mission and we can expect great things from her in the years to come.

This was a beautiful story. I wish this book had existed when I was still growing up as a first-generation Indian girl in the US. Nidhi Chanani's attention to the little details of what it is like to be an Indian-American helped me identify with Prianka, the protagonist of this book, as I have never experienced with any other main character. The artwork is also well done - Nidhi Chanani makes great use of color and positioning to execute her plot. And this is aside from the story itself, which was so powerful that it moved me to tears. Nidhi, you have won yourself a new fan!

Gorgeous and original. I loved the thread of magic.

I teach third grade and bought this specifically for one of my advanced students to read.I read it first and the only potentially mature topic is the mother’s unmarried state while pregnant embarrassing her family, and while central to the resolution of the heroine’s emotional journey it’s not something dwelled on for long or presented negatively in the book and easily within a mature third graders wheelhouse.My student was born in India and said one day in reading group that there were never any stories with Indian kids in them.When I gave her this she devoured it.In the few days since I gave it to her, she has read it at least three times, carries it around, has discussed both events in the story with me and the glossary of Hindi words with both her mom and me, and is partner reading it with two friends during our reader’s workshop time. She has also told me multiple times,This book is soooo good!”

Though this graphic novel was intended for young readers, i she’d some tears while reading it. The illustrations were a delight and the message seems to resonate with believing in yourself, be independent, finding your roots.

I've been waiting for Pashmina to come out for months and I was not disappointed! As always, Nidhi Chanani's artwork is amazing and her use of color was not only beautiful, but served as a great way to make transitions in the story. I read this graphic novel in a single siting and I'm already ready for more!

My 6 year old daughter really liked this book. We talked through some of the concepts that were a little over her head, but the lexile of the book, combined with the stellar artwork, made it super engaging for her, and a great way to learn about a cultural experience outside of her own.