Dancing Devi

by Priya Parikh MA, N. Dejeshwini (Illustrator)

Devi knows that she's a good dancer. In fact, she's one of the best Bharatanatyam dancers at her dance school. So she's very upset when she learns she's lost the big dance competition. Her mom is a perfect dancer and Devi needs to be, too. Devi vows to practice her facial expressions and footwork until her dance is flawless, but no matter how much she practices, she keeps making mistakes. Come along with Devi as she learns that failure is an important part of learning and growing.

Genres: Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is excellent for exposing kids to OTHER forms of dance. I learned about bharatanatyam and was captivated by the illustrations. Plus the concepts of fear and mistakes are relatable.

[eesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

i WILL consume every children’s book about bharatnatyam and i WILL love it like there’s just no other option….my inner child is going “she’s like me!!!!!” and i love it 🫶🏽

[Marthine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My three year old is obsessed with this book. I love that it features a story about an Indian girl in an environment that looks like North America where the concept and story features details of bharatanatyam and is fixed on Indian characters, but the focus is not on identity and difference, but on the challenge to persist and keep trying even when you make mistakes. And we do learn about the mudras and foot positions and expressions of the dance form too!

[Bindi Parikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really an incredible children's book! Describes how each of us can overcome our challenges and reminds us that it is okay to make mistakes !

[Gina Soldano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so relatable to me as I used to dance competitively as a child. Reading this story with my son, I could feel what Devi went through and appreciated not only the beautiful artwork and wonderful writing but also the underlying message. Winning isn't everything and we can always get back up.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art and a good message.

[Varsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing Devi by Priya Parikh is a story that sends the message that ‘it's okay to make mistakes as long as we remember them and learn from them. This sweet story has been beautifully illustrated by N. Dejeshwini. The bright and colourful artwork elevates the reading experience, adding depth and richness to every page. I loved that there is a glossary for those not well-versed in the Bharatanatyam dance form. I truly enjoyed reading this book.

This book is perfect for kids and adults who love dancing or are beginners in this dance form.

[Madalina Hubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great introduction to Bharatnatyam, a classical Indian dance form that I found to be both rich in inner meaning and cultural expression.

I also enjoyed the story's focus on the young girl's determination to learn from her mistakes and improve herself in the process.

The illustrations were lovely as well!

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

I did not know much about this style of dance before reading the book. The book is informative but also weaves the information into the plot seamlessly. There is also a great message about making mistakes and how winning isn't always the most important thing.

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet <3 this would be good for a preschool audience or older