Beautiful Layers of Me

Sophia Payne

Book cover for Beautiful Layers of Me
Book cover for Beautiful Layers of Me

Beautiful Layers of Me

Beautiful Layers of Me

Sophia Payne

View full details

Description

A young girl gains the confidence to participate in her family's tradition--and be fully herself--in a vibrant ode to difference and love from a new voice in picture books.

Ameena can't wait for her auntie's Nikah. She's never been to a wedding, and today there is one in her own garden! After putting on the salwar kameez that Babu gave her, with its soft layers of floaty fabric, she feels like a princess, skipping down the garden path. "Oh wow!" comes a friendly voice over the fence. "I wish I had pajamas like that!" Suddenly Ameena, her cheeks hot, starts to wonder: should she wear something else? In a gentle text capturing all the nuances of a first cultural experience, Sophia Payne follows a child's passage from self-doubt to worry to pride, while Ruchi Mhasane's expressive illustrations render the wedding garb in glowing colors and patterns that will have young readers wanting to join in the celebration.

About the Author

Sophia Payne writes picture books and young fiction and tries to stay away from broken computers. Her writing often reflects her Indo-Caribbean heritage as well as her motto in life: always be kind. She is also the author of Faruq and the Wiri Wiri, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat. Half Guyanese and half British, Sophia Payne was raised in the UK and now lives in Germany with her husband and two children.

Ruchi Mhasane is also the illustrator of Dadaji's Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande. She studied at the Cambridge School of Art and works mainly in pencil and watercolor. Ruchi Mhasane lives in India.

Critical Reviews

An affirming story about accepting and loving ourselves and our cultural traditions.
--Kirkus Reviews

Publishing Information

Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Pub date: 2025-06-24
Length: 40 pages

The Allstora Membership

Membership Perks:

  • Save 30% on all online store purchases
  • Exclusive access to author's content
  • You pay less, but authors still earn double

Membership Terms:

First Month: $0.00
Monthly price: $5.00
  • To access membership discount simply log in and add to cart, discount applied automatically.
  • One month free trial, cancel anytime. Membership renews on the 15th of each month.