Dancing in Thatha's Footsteps

May 1, 2021
On Sundays, Varun's grandfather takes Varun's sister, Varsha, to dance lessons where she learns bharatanatyam, a South Asian dance style estimated to be 2,000 years old. When Thatha invites Varun to come and watch the lesson, he doesn't think that he'll be interested. To Varun's surprise, though, he finds the rhythm impossible to resist. Before long, he leaps to his feet and joins in with the other dancers. Dancing makes Varun feel wonderful--that is, until his sister tells him he has to stop because dancing is not for boys. Although Thatha objects, revealing that he used to be an accomplished dancer in India, Varun still feels uncomfortable. After all, if he did join his sister's dance class, he would be the only boy. With a little help from Thatha, Varun musters up the courage to follow his dreams--and to prove that gender stereotypes are no match for the power of performance. This book's charming protagonist and believable plot provide a wonderful opening for conversations about the dangers of strict gender constructs. The vibrant paintings take readers to a diverse U.S. city, cleverly incorporating details such as a Pride flag and a Black Lives Matter sign that establish a clear political tone. In this context, the author's note disappoints, focusing on discrimination male dancers face instead of challenging the kind of toxic masculinity Varun overcomes in the story. A culturally responsive picture-book critique of gender roles. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2021

Gr 1-3-A tribute to the classical dance form bharatanatyam that originated in India nearly 2000 years ago, this title also honors the Tamil language along with girls and boys who remain connected with their heritage through the dance. Young Varun tags along with his older sister Varsha, accompanied by their grandfather Thatha, to her weekly classical dance lesson. Although he hears from Varsha and from his friends that dance is not for boys, Varun increasingly hears the rhythms of dance in the sounds of the world all around him. He returns to the dance school but is mocked by the girls who attend there. A surprise to all but the teacher, Thatha reveals to studio students his own graceful talent as developed in his youth and the beauty of the dance for anyone who loves it. Digital painted art effectively represents the culture of India through the text and backgrounds of art within the home. Cartoon children of many races are highlighted within the studio and on the city street where backgrounds reveal a Black Lives Matter logo on a truck and a rainbow LGBTQIA+ flag flying on a side street. The book includes a pronunciation guide to Tamil words used in text, and a note on history of the dance form. VERDICT A general purchase for most libraries, this is a lyrical message in support of family relationships, resisting peer pressure, and following one's inner call to art.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TX

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