About the Book and Author and Illustrator
This lovely picture book introduces children to colours. More subtly is also challenges gender stereotypes in that the main character is a little boy who loves to paint his nails with his mother’s nail polish. The colour he chooses reflects his moods and his environmental influences. If you scroll down this post you can see some examples. Even when challenged about his nail-painting behaviour the boy continues to do what he finds beautiful and gives him pleasure.
The story has lovely pictures and is a gentle and reassuring reminder to children that they should be proud of having the confidence to be true to themselves and to not be swayed by other people’s perceptions of what they should wear or how they should style their hair or which toys or games are suitable for for them to play with. We are unique individuals and that makes us all special in our own way.
This book will be published by Lantana in June.
Mamta Nainy is an award-winning author of over thirty books. She is inspired by the unfettered imagination of children and is passionate about stories that are inclusive and empowering. Mamta lives and dreams in New Delhi.
Jo Loring-Fisher is an artist, illustrator and storyteller. She holds an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art.
Book Review
I like painting my nails in sparkly colours as well
Maryam says: I liked all the colours but the green page was my favourite because they were digging for worms like we do too. I like painting my nails in sparkly colours as well.
Mum says: We liked the representation of this book, we are Indian by ethnicity and it was great to see familiar words, clothes and skin colour of the characters.
Page Preview
If you would would like to buy a copy of the book we invite you to pre-order it from your local independent book shop.
Reviewer Profile
- Name: Maryam
- Age: 5 years
- Likes: reading books, playing in the mud and crafting
- Dislikes: raisins and tidying up
- Favourite Book: Hatem Aly
- Favourite Song: Ramadan Moon by Cat Stevens
- Favourite Film: Zog
