Henna Is . . .

May 15, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 Henna Is . . . adds to the growing number of picture books celebrating this art form, and if readers are familiar with henna ""tattoos" as the temporary decorative pattern that oozes out of plastic cones onto hands and feet as a cultural marker or whimsical motif, they will learn from this book that henna is much more than decoration. Each page begins with the title phrase, adding a different descriptor with each spread. Thus, henna is: texture, place, technique, function, friendship, tradition, and more, culminating with "Henna is identity." Colorful and affirming illustrations mirror each description, leaving cultural insiders warmly gratified and cultural outsiders with new knowledge. An author's note adds a little more context, but there isn't much left to say about henna by the end of the book. Pair Henna Is . . . with Meera Sriram's A Garden in My Hands (2023) and Zain Bandali's Mehndi Boy (2023) for a cute text set all about henna.

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May 15, 2024
What is henna? And why do we use it? Each spread of this picture book begins with a brief statement about henna, a powdered dye made from leaves of the henna tree. "Henna is nature," Abbas tells us, "seeds sprouted into shrubs / leaves kissed by tropical rain / Plucked and dried under the golden sun / Pounded to powder." Readers learn about henna's various hues ("Henna is color / The orange of juicy mangoes... / Bright and smooth green... / Sun-kissed brown ... / Black like kohl") and where it's commonly used: "Henna is place / South Asian / North and East African / Middle Eastern." Marrying both art and function, henna can be used everyday or for special occasions. It looks beautiful when applied to the skin, it can be used to condition hair, and it's a cooling agent, too. Henna is intricately tied to celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and baby showers, as well as holidays including Diwali and Eid. Most pages end with the refrain "But henna is so much more" as Abbas segues into another aspect of henna. Writing in vivid, sensory language, she offers an all-encompassing exploration of the topic, accompanied by Chouhan's enticing illustrations dominated by floral patterns and symbols from the various cultures where henna is popular. Nontraditional henna designs--smiley faces, ice cream cones, thunderbolts--appear, too, lending a playfulness to the art. A joyful look at an important cultural tradition. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from July 26, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-This picture book seeks to celebrate an ancient art form that has become known primarily as a method of temporary body modification. The book's refrain is, "But henna is so much more..." and in delicate, poetic language, Abbas explains just how much more there is. The author takes readers through the act of harvesting seeds that will eventually become the richly pigmented henna powder, shows the process of applying the henna, and explains its cultural significance as a part of celebrations. "Henna is identity," Abbas concludes. Chouhan suffuses each spread with color and a sense of serenity and kinship. The art is realistic without being clinical and cute without being cartoonish. Many different skin tones are featured, as well as a range of ages. Chouhan's renderings of the intricate, complex henna patterns are especially striking. The combination of Abbas's gently informative text and Chouhan's bright and cozy illustrations make this a great way to learn about a ritual that is important to so many. It would be a wonderful book to share during significant holidays. VERDICT A tranquil and colorful exploration of an art form that has been around for thousands of years, this should be in all picture book collections.-Kate Newcombe

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