'Ritu weds Chandni' by Ameya Narvankar is a children's illustrated storybook. It is a 15-minute read but of great importance. Little Ayesha is very excited for her cousin, Ritu di's wedding with her girlfriend Chandni but not everyone in the family is. Some even want to stop the wedding. What happens at the wedding and what Ayesha does is something very interesting to see.

First of all, I personally have not seen any, I repeat any story, in Indian mainstream children's books that feature any queer characters. It is very important to understand that kids must have knowledge of everything including queerness and its very important to make them understand that love is love. Because they are the future right. They must be introduced to different sexual orientations and not only be restricted to "raja rani ki Kahani".

I am so glad to come across this book because it serves the purpose in a perfect way. It is apt for children, especially Indians. Beautiful illustrations make it a perfect storybook. Obviously the language is very easy and also includes some Hindi words that increase relatability factor. A glossary of Hindi words used is also provided at the end.

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The author has done a brilliant representation of Indian weddings and society. I think you all should get a copy of this book (when it comes out) and gift it to kids in your family.

Release date: 01 December 2020 (expected)
Ratings: 5/5🌟

THIS IS ONE GEM OF A BOOK.

Thanks, @netgalley for providing the eARC.

This book gives a lifetime lesson. to the society.
A beautiful story with beautiful illustrations


Everyone has a choice to choose their partners and no one is a part of their choice


*Thank you Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*

By setting the main character as a little girl, Ayesha, the reader is able to see the world through a child’s view. That a marriage is only about love and happiness and that it doesn’t matter that it isn’t between a man and a woman. Because to this young child her favorite cousin is marrying the person who makes her happy and whole and they’re gonna throw a beautiful ceremony and to a young child that’s all they care about. I loved the premise, loved that the culture was brought out so well and that a glossary for some words were included. Overall this book is a wonderful depiction of what marriage means and also a warning that our children only know love and happiness and hate is learned through the harmful words of others.

Ayesha is excited that it's her cousins wedding day. She doesn't understand why there are people boycotting the wedding. Ayesha is a brave little girl who led this touching story. I really think this book can be very impactful in today's world.

Ritu weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar
This is an illustrated children's book. It is a short and a great read. The book illustrates the story of a little girl Ayesha, who is too excited for her cousin Ritu’s wedding with her girlfriend Chandni. And some people want to stop the wedding, then all that happens at the wedding is much interesting.

According to me, this is the first-ever children’s book which introduces them to sexual individuality. Lets them understand love is love, it has seen no gender, religion, or age. I am so glad that someone has come with such a nice book with such a wonderful thing for the next generation.

Coming back to the language is simple and lucid. The illustrations are very beautiful and properly justify the story. The author has done a brilliant job throughout. The theme, the story, the illustrations are up to the mark.

I am glad that I got to read this book. Thanks, Netgalley for providing the ARC.
This book will be released on 01 December 2020.

This is an ownvoices* children's book from the point of view of a young girl, Ayesha, living in India whose favourite cousin, Ritu, is marrying her girlfriend, Chandni. Despite Ayesha's excitement for the big day, the day does not go as planned as the wedding is disrupted by homophobic community members.

As soon as I saw the title and front cover, I knew I had to check this book out. The mere existence of a children's book about a queer female Indian couple getting married is so, so significant and I really appreciated how the author shows the (unfortunately very realistic) homophobic reaction of the community to the wedding rather than sugarcoating it. Ayesha's innocence is both endearing and provides hope for future generations as she does not understand why people would be protesting a wedding and just wants her favourite cousin to have the best day. The message this book presents to young readers about standing up to bigotry and LGBTQ+ acceptance, particularly in the South Asian community where tradition plays such a huge role, is so important.

The main message of this story aside, the illustrations in this book are STUNNING! And I just know that there's going to be tons of South Asian kids who will be so excited to see themselves represented in a book.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*note that the author is an Indian queer male writing about an Indian queer female couple.

I was given a free copy by Netgalley for honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book , as the author mentioned in epilogue it would be uphill fight for same sex marriage for both men and women, but a tad bit more for women. The illustrations and dialogues in this book proved that. The fact that love is love is harder for so many of them to understand. By reading this book it will easier for some of us to understand pain and struggles of people who desperately want to marry their loved ones.

Ritu Weds Chandi is one of the sweetest picture books I've read. It's so precious, I cried the whole way through. The art is adorable and the story is so sweet. While it doesn't shy away from topics such as discrimination and how conservative desi families/communities disapprove of same sex marriages it is ultimate hopeful showing whole some may disapprove there can also be love and family who will share in your joy.
This would be great read for a child! It also has a list of Hindi words used in the back for people who aren't familiar with them so it is more accessible to people from other cultures.
Ah, I loved it.
Highly recommend.

4* Lovely and I so wish things could be like this in India, but sadly, I suspect not for a long, long time.

This is a really sweet little read that took me back to the days when I watched Bollywood movies. It was vivid and that vividness, as well as media reports the likes of which make the headlines (such as riots and an arrest warrant issued against him because Richard Gere kissed Shilpa Shetty on the cheek - I kid you not) were both in my mind. It made me both sad and happy; I read a fairytale with a dose of reality.

I wish, wish, wish that this could have happened in today's India. But it won't, not for a very, very long time and not without education and enlightenment. I liked the author's note and that she deliberately highlighted that females would have it harder than males to be in a same-sex relationship. I love many things about India and the traditions that have travelled across the seas, with my family whose origins are in Andhra Pradesh, but I hate the hypocrisy and the 'what will people say' thing and archaic ideas about honour and dishonour. I hope this book gets read by children and parents and that change starts to happen.

ARC courtesy of Yali Books and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

I both love and hate this book. I love it because it is a sweet story of love in India, between two women and their loving family. I also hate it because it is about the hate towards two women and their hating family.

But, we need these books, that tear at us from both sides, because there are so many picture books about happy lgbtq weddings, we need to also see the hate that is out there, and how relatives can show support, as the niece in this story did.

Because it isn't all birds and sunshine out there. But, still, it is lovely how we learn about Indian wedding ceremonies, and the parts that the men usually do, which is what offended the relatives so much.

There are too few LGBTQ picture books about weddings, and certainly this is the first one I have seen that is Indian (East Asian).

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

A wonderful children's book with LGBT representation in the South Asian community. The art in this book is so bold and colourful. Definitely add to your kids' library!

**I received this book from netgalley in exchange for a review**

Okay, this book is ADORABLE. Its a beautiful little story about a f/f Indian couple on their wedding day, told through the eyes of one of their young cousins. Narvankar does an excellent job of capturing the unprejudiced innocence of childhood. The illustrations are absolutely stunning.

I got this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
This is a REALLY nice picturebook, and I am always a big fan of more LGBTQ rep in all genres of books. I love the colors, the presentation of all the wedding traditions, the great love Ayesha has for her cousin, and the supporting family! I especially enjoyed the spreads at the end with just pictures from the wedding and the final page which highlights the lack of acceptance in India for same-sex marriages!
Would recommend this to anyone!

I loved this! There is still stigma in the Indian/Hindu community about LGBTQ relationships and marriages, Ritu Weds Chandni tackles not only the challenges LGBTQ face but it does so through the eyes of a child. This children's book is a great way to educate children about LGBTQ relationships and how there is nothing wrong with same sex marriage or couples, and that they are no different from heterosexual couples, despite the prejudice they face in Hindu communities. The illustrations also did an amazing job at enhancing the message of this children's book, allowing it to be light and airy whilst addressing the bigotry the brides faced on their wedding day.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. My views are my own.

This children’s book centers on a very short point: gay marriage is taboo, there is fear around the wedding, the main character isn’t aware of this and just wants to have fun / be happy. Beautifully (!!!!!) illustrated. So, so pretty. Something bad happens during the wedding but is recovered. The end includes a glossary of terms.

All in all, a very quick but poignant book. Culturally educational. And gorgeous illustrations. Speaks on homosexuality positively for the lesbian relationship. Main character is a child and stands up to those disproving the wedding. Good book, good topic.

I loved this book. There hasn’t been same-same relationships seen in many children’s books over the years. The world is changing & our views on marriage should be discussed worldwide. This book brings in the reality of how religion and culture play a part in the ideas of what marriage is. I was happy to see the main character show acceptance and joy for the couple getting married. Beautiful illustrations and easy to read language. This book is one of a few that shows the reality of hatred and the power of acceptance in this world. I appreciate the word glossary at the end of the book that explains some of the Hindi words spoken.. As someone not familiar with some of the words used to describe the ceremony, I appreciated having the author translate the words for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review.

This is a fantastic story about love. Ritu is getting married to her girlfriend and wants to participate in traditional marriage festivities. As the story continues we see the objections that some family and community members have to a same sex marriage. There is so much that this book will offer to readers - beautiful illustrations, the chance to learn about marriage customs, and proof that love is love. I cannot wait to add this to my classroom and home libraries. Such a beautiful story about the power of love.

ARC provided by Yali Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar is a beautiful and colourful children’s book centering the young Ayesha’s happiness for her favourite cousin’s wedding, her love for Ritu as well as the love between the two brides.

On the day of her didi’s wedding, Ayesha is really happy and she’s looking forward to dancing in the baraat “all the way”. She shows that her love for Ritu and Chandni, and the love they have for each other, is stronger than the hate other people and bigoted relatives may harbour.

In the last page of the book, the author explains the importance of this wonderful book and presents a short list of children’s literature featuring South Asian queer experiences to help readers find other noteworthy stories.

ARC provided by Yali Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar is a beautiful and colourful children’s book centering the young Ayesha’s happiness for her favourite cousin’s wedding, her love for Ritu as well as the love between the two brides.

On the day of her didi’s wedding, Ayesha is really happy and she’s looking forward to dancing in the baraat “all the way”. She shows that her love for Ritu and Chandni, and the love they have for each other, is stronger than the hate other people and bigoted relatives may harbour.

In the last page of the book, the author explains the importance of this wonderful book and presents a short list of children’s literature featuring South Asian queer experiences to help readers find other noteworthy stories.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for granting me early access to Ritu Weds Chandni in exchange for an honest review.

Ritu Weds Chandni is the story of a lesbian couple's traditional Indian wedding, told through the point of view of one of the brides' young cousins, Ayesha. We meet Ayesha and her parents getting ready for the wedding, then they go off to meet the rest of the family at the starting location for Ritu's baraat (wedding parade). When they arrive, Ayesha discovers that many of their friends and family have decided not to come. An older relative explains that it's because not everyone is happy that Ritu is marrying a woman. Strangers from the area are gathering to try to stop the baraat and the wedding ceremony itself.

This is a story of love and acceptance in a place where tradition has not caught up with 21st-century morals. Ayesha ends up being a beacon of hope and love, accepting her lesbian cousins for who they are, seeing nothing wrong with who they've chosen to love, and encouraging everyone to continue celebrating despite attempts to spoil the day.

I appreciate the glossary of Hindi words at the end of the book, but I found the use of italics to emphasize these words throughout the text distracting and unnecessary. This is obviously a book about Indian culture and a wedding narrative, so we can assume that words we don't recognize as English are indeed a foreign language.

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! The story itself is inspiring and beautifully written. I would recommend this book for primary grade aged children, but probably not preschool, as there are large chunks of text per page. Had I attempted to read this to my three-year-old, I'm sure she would have lost interest. A six-year-old, on the other hand, would probably enjoy this.