A Bindi Can Be ...

by Suma Subramaniam, Kamala M. Nair (Illustrator)

A young girl makes a bindi with her grandmother and discovers what wearing one means to her. A young girl is eager to learn all about bindis, the red dot that goes between her brows. Paati, her grandmother, shows her how to make a bindi in a clay pot by combining crushed turmeric, sandalwood powder and a dollop of ghee. They mix and mix and mix until, like magic, the mixture turns from yellow to bright red. Her bindi can be big or small, and shaped like a star, a flower or a glowing half-moon. She can wear her bindi to celebrate different festivals, such as Diwali, or on an ordinary day as a way to stay centered and calm. In this way, she discovers that her bindi is more than just a dot. Author Suma Subramaniam’s lovely intergenerational story celebrates the cultural traditions that make us who we are. The rich illustrations by Kamala Nair add layers of cultural details and captivatingly evoke the girl’s experience as she prepares and wears her bindi. A Bindi Can Be … is a mirror for the millions of children around the world who wear, or have family members who wear, a bindi. It offers a wonderful entry point for children learning about global cultures and traditions, and can be used for lessons on traditional celebrations such as Diwali. The story also provides an opportunity to introduce topics of mindfulness and emotional regulation to young children. Back matter contains extended information about bindis, what they are, other names for them, why people wear them and how they are made, as well as a glossary.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Indian Literature, Cultural, India, Hinduism

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Suma Subramaniam earned her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a certificate in popular fiction from the University of Washington. Suma Subramaniam lives in Washington State.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my toddler as a story time. This story explains the dot between a person's eyebrows we may see people of the South Asian such as Indian adorned. They wear it at different holidays. There are different names for the dot: bindi, sindhoor, pottu, teep, and more. This book has recipes on how to make the color mixture for the bindi. The little girl in this story says the bindi she wears calms her and lets her celebrate life as well as filled her with energy. At the end of the book, the author's note also explains what bindi is. Pretty illustrations!

Thank you Kids Can Press for the opportunity to read and review.

[Farnz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Sarah Aronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely introduction to what a bindi is, what a bindi can do, and the loving pride of a young girl.

Suma Subramaniam's lovely book, illustrated by Kamala Nair, offers a lyrical text and bright illustrations. Readers get a lot of information about the bindi, from shape and size to the reasons that people wear them. “To celebrate life in all its fullness.”

This book is a celebration of beauty and culture and I hope that it will find its way to many classrooms.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bindi Can Be... is a really cute picture book about bindis. It poetically explains what a bindi can be and some of the ways to make and wear them. The art is really cute. The end has a glossary for some of the words used throughout and a more detailed explanation of the information included in the bo0ok. It's a great little book for kids looking to learn about bindis or who want to share the pride they feel in their own with a simple and sweet story. Recommended!

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this charming picture book, a little girl makes her own bindi with her Paati (grandmother) and explains how they are worn and why. She tells us how it makes her feel, and that she wears a bindi “to celebrate life in its fullness.” The digital artwork’s bright, warm colors depict the bustling South Asian city where the girl lives, and some spreads are swirling shapes and colors when she tells us bindis’ more mystical associations.

This is an excellent window into a common adornment of people from India and other South Asian cultures. Words for bindi appear in many languages -Telegu, Tamil, Hindi, Marathi – and there’s a glossary at the end. An author’s note expands understanding on the many occasions and reasons one would wear a bindi. I can imagine youngsters all wanting their own bindis after reading this book!

A wonderful resource for early elementary classrooms as it provides a mirror and a window into the culture of many immigrants.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bindi Can Be is a charming story about a young girl eager to learn about bindis. The story follows her as she learns about the significance of the from her Paati, grandmother. As someone who has practiced yoga for decades, I was familiar with the concept of the third eye between our brows. However, reading Suma Subramaniam’s lyrical text taught me so much more about bindis, from their various types and styles to their cultural importance. The Author’s Note and Glossary at the end provide valuable additional information for those interested in learning more.

Kamala Nair’s vibrant illustrations evoke the ingredients that go into making bindi paste, such as saffron, turmeric, sandalwood powder, ghee, and even kukumam stone. Each page turn reveals a new scene, beautifully showcasing the many facets of a bindi. I highly recommend this sweet story, both to celebrate with the protagonist and to enrich one’s understanding of what a bindi can be.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple little guide to the bindi, how it's made and where and why it's worn. The girl here makes the paste for her dot with her grandma, and with really pleasant and fantastical-tending artwork we see what it does for her. Chances are the majority of people turning to this know all the contents already, for they will like as not be the people who wear the bindi, pottu or whatever their language has it known as, but I can't see why schools with a wide ethnic mix shouldn't have this on hand for the friends of the bindi-wearers; this has a lot of clarity in explaining the tradition to us ignorant westerners. A strong four stars.

[Donna Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great cultural picture book is one in which the reader(s) learns something new or expands their understanding of a people or tradition. In A BINDI CAN BE, Suma Subramaniam and Kamala Nair accomplish both. Through rich illustrations and a first-person perspective, readers are invited into a child's experience of making a bindi with her grandmother (Paati). In the process, she shares the variety of bindi styles and occasions for wearing them. This sweet story is like a recipe for art, tradition, and culture. Young readers will almost certainly ask to make their own bindi. A glossary and author's note add additional fascinating information.

[Dianne White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bindi can be many things. A star. A crescent. A flower. It can be worn in times of ceremony, or as a reminder to “celebrate life in all its fullness.” Bindis can be different shapes and sizes, colors, and materials - made from traditional ingredients, or purchased in a store.

This lyrical introduction to the tradition of making and wearing a bindi – the colored dot worn in the center of the forehead by many people of Indian and other South Asian cultures - makes for a welcome addition to school and home libraries.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bindi Can Be... is a joyful celebration of the colored dot that is worn on the center of the forehead! For those who are not acquainted with the bindi, this charming book is also a chance to learn. As a young girl explores the bindi with her grandmother, readers discover that a bindi can be big or small, a star or a flower, decorative and grounding. This intergenerational story written by Suma Subramaniam is both a wonderful exploration of a cultural tradition and a chance to introduce the calming benefits of mindfulness.

[Sue H · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book that explains how bindis can be made and used. The backmatter shares some in-depth information on the usages of bindis and how they are made. There is a glossary at the end which describes the different words used throughout the text that may not be familiar to readers. I felt like it was more a short answer to what a bindi could be, without giving much depth outside of the backmatter. Perhaps it would be a starting point if a child wanted more information on the topic.

[Chana Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children will learn so much about bindis in this lovely new book by Suma Subramaniam, gorgeously illustrated by Kamala Nair. With spare text and bright colors, A Bindi Can Be shows how a young girl makes bindi ink with her grandmother. (A recipe is included!) We discover the many shapes, styles, names, and reasons that people wear bindis—to center us and make us feel calm, “to celebrate life in all its fullness.” A true celebration of a vibrant culture and tradition.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are nice, but the informational material is only at the end, and the many metaphorical and poetic statements throughout the book won't convey much to anyone outside of the culture. Yet, at the same time, the main text focuses on concepts that are palatable to secular readers, instead of conveying the bindi's religious significance and symbolism. Overall, this was fine, but I'm not sure who the intended audience really is.

[Rebecca Gardyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this beautifully written and illustrated book, I didn’t know much at all about what bindis are or why they are worn by women. This book introduces the tradition to young readers in a simple yet elegant way, with back matter that explains in more depth about the different uses, customs, and reasons that women wear bindis during certain holidays and throughout the year. I love how this book offers both an opportunity for Indian and South Asian children to see their culture represented in its pages and for others to learn about a new and interesting custom about which they may have be unfamiliar.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely simple book that explains the tradition of bindi's and the many reasons they are worn. The text is simple and elegant with lovely vibrant pictures that are captivating and a beautiful reflection of South Asia.

The back of the book also provides extra details on the many different types of bindi's, how they are worn and what they are made of. Overall this is a great book to help answer kids questions.

I must add to any library collection!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advanced copy courtesy of the publisher
This book is a clear explanation (in the end notes) of what a bindi may be and the roles it plays in a person's culture and beliefs. As an outsider to this culture, I found this to be very informative and insightful into understanding and appreciating a culture other than my own.

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the mix of family, tradition, and culture. A little girl explores what bindis are, what they symbolize, and how they're made. A bindi doesn't mean just one thing and young readers will be introduced to a custom they may not know about, The text flows with effortless ease and is paired with magical drawings. I highly recommend!

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated picture book is about a girl experimenting with different shapes and formulas for the bindi-the dot on her forehead. As a reader I don’t feel that I understand the meaning or purpose of this custom any more after reading the book. Its intended audience might be just for people who already know this.

[Robyn McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Bindi Can Be follows a young girl and her grandmother as they engage in cultural tradition of making and wearing a bindi. The gorgeous illustrations bring Suma Subramaniam’s lyrical text to life. And the additional backmatter further highlights the symbolism and importance of the Bindi. Overall, the book is a calm reflection on the essence of this cultural tradition.

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 Picture Book. Indian-American author. Indian illustrator.
Summary:Just like the title says, it's all about how to make a bindi and what it symbolizes.

What I liked:Educational (even for me!). Cute illustrations. Glossary and author's note at the back.

What I didn't like:Not terribly interesting; low on plot.

Overall:Will purchase for schools with high Indian population.

[Kimberly Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is such a beautiful way of learning more about a Bindi, it's significance, tradition, and history. Readers of all ages will love this delightfully written and illustrated informational book!

[Rinku · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this book because there are so few books that show the South Asian culture. The illustrations are beautiful and lots of great information. I learned more about my culture and look forward to reading other books by this author.

[Syntha Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely picture book

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are beautiful but it could be more informative.

[Angela Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet and warm book celebrates and explains the history and pratice of wearing a bindi. A delightful celebration of family and customs, unique and universal.

[Carrie Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book explaining and celebrating all that a bindi can be!

[Lesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is cute, but I wanted more out of it. I liked that it is clealry for a young audience and the backmatter is appropiriate for the age. The illustrations are beautiful and so colorful.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

a simple book to introduce the concept of bindi to small children

[Alix]

It was cute and now I know some things about what a bindi can be!

[Kate Hosford · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable protagonist narrates this book in spare and lyrical prose, in which we learn both how to make a bindi from natural ingredients, what a bindi can look like (big or small, shaped like a dot, star, or crescent moon), and when one might wear a bindi (during a festival, or on any day when one wants to center oneself and become calm). The grandmother and granddaughter work together, mixing the ingredients needed for the powder that they will use to make their bindis. The gorgeous sun-soaked illustrations are a full of love and dynamic movement. A BINDI CAN BE is an ode to grandmothers, simplicity and slowing down enough to appreciate the beauty around us. The book has an excellent author's note and glossary at the end as well.