I always wished that I could talk to my nieces and though don't have many younger cousins I have had a largely typical "DESI" FAMILY AKA WHERE THIS CONVERSATION NEVER HAPPENED. I have unfortunately lived in the fear of sexuality almost my entire childhood even though nobody in my house told me I am a girl but the relatives and school teachers were never behind so I was one mix. Even though when I saw my favourite actor did the movie Kal Ho Na Ho (on the peak of my puberty) & the movie was filled with sexual innuendos, I still couldn't grasp the actors comfort in making fun of a LGBTQ couple.
Having such a heteronomative atmosphere around me his antics made me laugh because of falling in the pit of peer pressure.
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Then I turned 15. I read some LGBTQ fiction and here I am compensating for all those years lost on educating my cousins and friends on LGBTQ relationships.
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Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar is a small graphic novella for kids full of photos and zeal for young children as early as six to make them understand how #loveislove🌈
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Ayesha is so glad her Ritu Didi is getting married. Ayesha is very happy her favourite cousin is getting married. Though she can't understand why people don't like that she is getting married to Chandni Didi.
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What does Ayesha do Next? I was really touched by the innocence captured by the author of the character Ayesha.
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There are not much words,there are pictures more and this picture book is a great start for small kids from 6 to 11 to grasp the concept of LGBTQ community and normalize the relationships and the concept in homes.

I received this as an ARC on NetGalley

Good:
- fun, relatable characters
- simple story that all generations can enjoy
- beautiful illustrations

Bad
- maybe at the end some real pictures of weddings would have been nice, because children like to see things they read about in real life as well.

This is a beautiful children's story that got to my feelings. The pictures were so beautiful I had to read it again just to see them, as a teenager! I'm definitely considering joining xr now. The explanations of Indian weddings and Hindi at the end makes this a cool introduction for kids not from this tradition, and the beautiful pictures will feel relatable and nostalgic for those that are. It made me tear up a little after the emotional plot and teaches you say the same time.

I have to mention the illustrations again, they really were just gorgeous.

One thing I would say is: I would love it if there was pictures of real Indian weddings at the back, so kids can see this and relate or to real life. This is absolutely not a fault!

I would recommend this book to everyone! Little kids especially around 2-5 but it could easily stand being those ages!

Overall: 5/5 :)

A gorgeously illustrated children's book with a simple but equally sweet and heartbreaking story - sweet because it focuses on two Indian women's love and the young narrator's excitement about their upcoming wedding, and heartbreaking because the story does include the hate and opposition the brides are met with on the traditional wedding procession. It does have a happy ending though, and it's very kids-appropriate. It was a joy to read and the art is absolutely lush. The author's afterword on his motivation to write the kind of LGBTQIA+ story he never got to read when he was growing up was very touching too.

Books so simple and powerful like this are so necessary. This is a children's book, told through the eyes of a young girl, Ayesha, about two women in India marrying each other. It should not be a rare story to happen upon, but because of racism, homophobia and misogyny, stories like this do not get even a fraction of the platforms they deserve.

Through beautiful illustrations, colours and clothing, and filled with Hindi words, I got a small taste of what a Hindu wedding is like through the eyes of one of the bride's younger cousins. This is a story that is full of joy, love and celebration, while also showing the harsh realities same-sex couples in India must face.

With same-sex relationships only having just been decriminalized in India-- initially criminalized and looked down upon because of British colonial-imposed laws and customs-- there is still a long way to go, as Narvankar highlights. And not everyone approves of LGBTQ+ people and their love. But love will triumph, and for the two women in this story, and for Ayesha, it does.

In this moving, lovely picture book, young Ayesha is excited to dance on her favorite cousin's wedding day, and can't understand why anyone would want to get in the way of that joy. It's a touching and beautifully illustrated depiction of a South Asian LGBTQ+ experience from a child's perspective, though the narrative could be tightened up somewhat to better suit this young POV. The vocabulary may be a little complex at times for younger readers; not the Hindi words, which are both fairly clear from context and also helpfully defined in a glossary at the end, but the overall English language choices. But the art is stunning, with a warm, rich color palette and truly gorgeous, ornate details in the clothing, especially. It would make a beautiful and heartwarming addition to any young reader's library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Yali Books for the advance review copy!

The smallest book to have made me so happy has to be this one.. YES for more books featuring South Asian LGBT+ experiences. This is definitely a book kids ought to be reading! Also the art is so rich and gorgeous *insert all the heart eyes*. I also loved that the final page had more book recs for South Asian LGBT+ books.

A very beautiful picture book about a lesbian Hindu wedding! The story is told from the point of view of Ayesha, the cousin of one of the brides. I think a few editorial changes could really tighten up the prose and make the book shine -- information is conveyed that Ayesha could not reasonably be expected to know or understand, which weakens the power of the POV. The formatting also needs a quick scrub (some paragraphs have a line of blank space between them and some don't). These are all quick fixes, though, and I do hope that the publisher will be able to make them, because the story is incredibly sweet and the art is GORGEOUS! I would love to be able to have this book on my library shelves. Just as a note -- it may distress some young readers that homophobia interrupts the brides' happy day (some family members refuse to attend the wedding, neighbors shout abuse at the wedding procession, and protesters attack both brides and their guests with water hoses) even though the wedding ultimately proceeds as planned, so be aware of that when reading together. The book has a helpful glossary of Hindi words used at the end.

Lovely story, the art was very beautiful, and great representation,
I would love to read someday with my future kids

I loved the art work and the story . The story depicted through the eyes of a child - Ayesha, brought more impact to the content. The innocence with which she questions why the family or neighbors are not happy and are angry with her beloved Ritu Didi's wedding to Chandni , leaves you to explore your conscience and the societal norms. The stigma associated to such relations are what makes the people not coming out in open.

The story is impactful. Thank you Net Galley, author and publisher for the ARC.

I couldn't resist Ritu Weds Chandni when I saw it on NetGalley. The stunning cover caught my eye, and I loved the premise of a young girl eagerly anticipating the wedding of her cousin.

Aware of the negative reaction to two women marrying, the families of Ritu and Chandni proceed with their planned celebration. Members of the community (as well as some of their relatives) show up to spoil the festivities, and do their best to ruin this beautiful tradition.

Young Ayesha stands up for her cousin and her bride, expressing her joy over their union and their right to participate in the traditional wedding celebration.

The colors are absolutely stunning, and the style of the art is expressive and very appealing. While the Hindi words and traditions are unfamiliar to me, the way the author incorporates them into the story makes them clear and it’s easy to relate to the customs.

Ameya Narvankar tells a wonderful story, and I wholeheartedly second the sentiment they express in the author's notes about needing to raise our children with examples of all different kinds of relationships in books and movies.

Well done!

"My Ritu didi is getting married today, and I'm going to dance in her baraat all the way!"

Absolutely adorable and important children's book that follows a young Indian girl at her cousin's wedding. But her cousin is marrying another woman, and not everyone is happy about that. It's a simple book with a strong message about standing up to intolerance, and finding joy and happiness despite adversity. It's written simply enough for its audience, and has a nice little glossary of Hindi words at the end. The art is really really good, and absolutely what makes this work! A lot of the storytelling is left to the art, and it does a great job with it. It's so vibrant and bold, with a unique style that strikes the perfect balance: very eye-catching and cartoony enough to be engaging for kids, while also being beautiful on a general scale. This would be a great one to read with kids, or give to little readers to peruse on their own.

Could use a closer edit for clarity in some sentences, and a couple of tense errors.

Really lovely all in all. I love seeing books about same-sex relationships that are written for younger audiences, and it's great to get those stories from diverse voices and cultures. <3

Ritu is the first bride in the family to lead her own baraat, a traditionally groom led activity. Ayesha is so excited to see Ritu and her girlfriend get married. She's been to weddings before and is excited to see another one. Unfortunately, not everyone is excited about this same-sex wedding.

This book does not shy away from there been controversy around same-sex weddings. I liked that it showed conflict in this way. There's a place for idealistic stories, as well, but there is something to be said about showing children the truth. The brides even get attacked by water hoses. But, Ayesha dances anyway.

The artwork is beautiful. There are so many great details. There's also a list of Hindu words used in the book at the end. This would be a great book for children familiar with this culture and those who are not. I give this book a 5/5. A great conversation starter for children and their loving adults.

This is a stunning, illustrated children's book which I wholeheartedly believe every child should read. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful!

It's fantastic to see representation of a queer couple in a Hindu wedding ceremony. I love that this story is told from the perspective of Ayesha, a young girl who is excited about her relatives wedding - her cousin Ritu is marrying her girlfriend, Chandni.

Ayesha understands that love is love, what she can't understand is the prejudice from other members of the community. The author, Narvankar, perfectly captures the innocent, non judgmental nature of Ayesha.

I can't praise this book enough, highly recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for the Arc in return for an honest review.

Ritu Weds Chandni is a beautifully illustrated book which perfectly encapsulates the Hindu wedding traditions from the perspective of two women/brides who just want to celebrate their decision to be united in marital bliss. The perspective is from a little girl, Ayesha, the cousin of one of the brides. This children's book is an absolute treasure that can be used to showcase the dichotomy that such an event can cause and the depth of emotions involved. Any wedding can elicit tears and laughter and happiness and joy. But a wedding that has such openly opposing counterviews is much more involved in such emotions. I have been in heterosexual indian weddings, and I have also watched the first few films on LGBTQIA+ themes from the Indian Film Industry. The importance of representation is so incredible and required for an educated, considerate, and tolerant society. I think books like this will pave the way to a better society worldwide by opening minds through emotion and logic. The purity of the union between two women is pure and lovely no matter who has opinions about it. This is a perfect book for children and parents and even those adults who sometimes lose their minds over such things and therefore need a children's book to understand the concept of Live and Let Live.
I really enjoyed this story, it was short and sweet with a happy ending, and it was not an easy journey getting to that ending.
The only thing I'd like to note is the skin colors of some of the characters. Some of the illustrations have the skin tone as a lot more pink than is appropriate. Perhaps I'm missing out on why it was like that, but as far as I know, 'pink' is not a representation of anyone's skin tone.
Regardless, the book is absolutely gorgeous with the colors, art, and the story itself. It made me miss being at a wedding and the excitement and thrill that goes along with being in the middle of such an exuberant occasion.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone - it is a quick happy read touching on some taboo subjects in a conservative society.

*Thank you for my free copy of this book by Yali Books, the author, Ameya Narvankar, and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the sort of book every child needs.
The illustrations are so colourful and intricate, they immediately draw you in the vibrant setting of the wedding. Ayesha's excitement is absolutely infectious and overall this book does such a great job of both, exploring Indian culture and weddings as well as queer relationships.
My 19 hear old desi self is in tears because I want to immediately buy hundreds of copies and give them to every kid I know. Truly a beautiful story ❤

'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.