Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/01/2023 Readers might be familiar with “henna tattoos” as decorative patterns that temporarily stain skin. A Garden in My Hands is a tribute to this ancient tradition as well as an explication of its significance. A mother is carefully inscribing the delicate filigree of henna on her child’s hands in preparation for a wedding. As she does so, she tells the child of their ancestors, the monsoon rain, and love. The wet henna is easily smudged, so the child must be careful while it dries, for these patterns are now weighted with cultural significance. Anyone who has waited for henna to dry can appreciate the worry and impatience associated with those seemingly endless hours, but it proves well worth the wait when in the morning the dried henna flakes off and leaves a deep-red stain and an earthy scent that lingers for days. Vibrant colors and traditional South Asian motifs complement the narrative. Informative back matter adds context. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 11/24/2023 PreS-Gr 1—There is a wedding tomorrow, and an unnamed young girl is having henna lovingly applied to her hands by her mother. Mama infuses each line and swirl with memories and stories that are important to their shared history, creating a symbolic garden on her daughter's skin. The girl must keep her henna safe as long as she can to ensure that the pigment becomes the deep red she desires, but doing so is easier said than done. This vibrant and colorful story describes henna in a heartfelt and accessible way. Every page incorporates a riot of color and myriad details, inviting readers to look closely and examine the complexity of the images before moving onto the next spread. Short, poetic text paints a subtle yet lovely picture that may be lost on younger readers, but it will resonate with elementary-aged children. At the end of the book, a page of information is included that provides more extensive details about henna for readers less familiar with this tradition. Filled with love, imagination, and just the right amount of whimsy, this is a colorful introduction to how henna is used, especially in South Asian cultures. VERDICT This vibrant story is a positive addition to diverse picture book collections for young readers.—Mary R. Lanni - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.