Lali's Feather

“Zia expertly code-switches between Indian language-inspired slang and standard English, rendering the narratorial voice pleasantly distinct. . . . The author’s use of the rule of threes. . . strikes a beautifully balanced storyline that is predictable yet surprising. The pictures accompanying the text are full of color and motion, depicting a lush, rural landscape and perfectly supporting the quick-moving protagonist. Three cheers for this feisty girl of color and her big imagination.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This circular story has the ring of an Indian folk tale. Its art strikingly contrasts the warm bright colors of silks and spices with the lush turquoise of peacock feathers.” —The New York Times

“Buoyant. . . a prime candidate for reading aloud.” —Publishers Weekly

“The musicality of the prose, dotted with Hindi expressions, lends a folkloric tone to this whimsical tale. The illustrations are lush and cheerful, countering the idea that the loss of the feather is to be mourned. A surprise ending will have readers predicting the sequel to this just-for-fun story.” —Booklist