Mehndi Boy feels warmly familiar and highly original at the same time. I was totally charmed by it.
Ali Sethi, musician and author
For as long as he could remember, debut author Zain Bandali wanted to write a children’s book about mehndi. On October 24th, Mehndi Boy, an early reader chapter book was published with Annick Press, one of the most innovative publishers of fiction and nonfiction for children and
young adults in Canada.
Mehndi Boy was nominated for the Silver Birch Express Award, a part of The Forest of Reading®, Canada’s largest recreational reading program that encourages a love of reading in people of all ages. This allows Mehndi Boy to be in the hands of grade 3 and 4 students across Canada, celebrating the first time author’s vision of sharing his cultural heritage with young readers.
Mehndi Boy
Tehzeeb drew curvy clouds, grand galaxies, squirmy squiggles, and delicate dots. He made charming checkerboards and even perfected paisleys. His practice was finally paying off!
The first time Tehzeeb tries mehndi, his passion for the art form blossoms. Soon, he’s creating designs for all his friends and family, and dreams of becoming the most in-demand mehndi artist in town. So Tez is hurt and confused when his favorite uncle tells him mehndi isn’t for boys. His art brings people joy. How could it be wrong? Tehzeeb doesn’t want to disappoint his uncle. But when a crisis before his cousin’s wedding puts his talents to the test, Tehzeeb must find the courage to be his true creative self.
Jani Balakumar’s expressive, vibrant illustrations bring Tehzeeb’s designs—and his community—to life. This charming, affirming story by debut author Zain Bandali will have you celebrating creativity, artistic expression, and being unapologetically yourself. Mehndi Boy is filled with Ismaili, East African, and South Asian “easter eggs” – hidden features, from illustrations to phrases in the text that are in Kutchi, Gujarati, and Swahili. The text boasts a full glossary of these various terms and concepts, and would make an excellent opportunity for children to sit with their elders and go through these references – some they may be familiar with and some that might be brand new!
The book is available for purchase here.
About the Author
Zain Bandali is an unapologetic author, poet, and diversity advocate. His debut children’s book, Silver Birch Express Nominated, Mehndi Boy, is an early readers illustrated chapter book that was published Fall of 2023 with Annick Press. Zain’s poetry can be found in multiple publications, and his spoken word has graced stages across his home province of Ontario, Canada. In 2020, he was awarded the Upkar Arora Social Impact Leadership Scholarship for his work creating a grassroots community initiative while an undergrad at the University of Waterloo. Even in his day job as an HR professional at a leading financial corporation, Zain strives to bring the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion to everything he does. He is an avid vegetable gardener but cannot always stomach the chilli peppers he grows.
Ismailimail 