“Sonya Sahni and the First Grade” is a wonderful story about a girl with parents from India who lived and sent to school in the United States. Sonya had a rich heritage, but she was trying her best to fit into the world of her classmates at school. She just wanted to be American! Unfortunately, sometimes her classmates teased her and said hurtful things to her about her ethnicity. She felt very bad and one day she came home from school crying. Her parents discussed her reaction with her teacher, Mrs. Abdul, and a plan was made to create an International Day celebration, to help kids celebrate diversity. Sonya was surprised to take two flags to school, one for India, and one for the United States. She also took samosas, other treats, and sweet tea that her mother made. A great day was in store for her. Everyone celebrated their background by sharing flags from their country of origin, traditional costumes, plus offerings of wonderful foods specific to their homelands. There were miso soup, sushi, mangos, empanadas, schnitzel, spiced lentils, paella, and more in this spectacular global buffet. Sonya began to accept her life of dual heritage, American and Indian, and she began to feel accepted by her friends. “Sonya Sahni and the First Grade” is written in verse, with striking colorful illustrations that highlight differences in children’s clothing and skin color. This is an inspiring book, with a powerful anti bullying message for kids, for International Day celebrations and for children who feel they don’t fit in.- Midwest Book Review

With conversations about immigration bans and borders dominating our daily news cycle, questions about what it means to be “American” are never as important as now. This is most true for children, who are figuring out the social politics on a daily basis. All kids feel different, whether it’s racial and religious differences or as simple as what clothes they are wearing. Tm Williams has created beautiful illustrations to help capture all the colors of our imagination. This book will serve as an invaluable resource for parents and teachers alike.