ASHA AND THE TOYMAKER

The daughter of a hardworking toymaker adds a splash of color to the family business.

Asha believes that her father “makes the best wooden toys in India.” He sells the toys in the market so he can afford to send Asha to school. Papa never went to school, and he tells Asha that she must study hard in order to take advantage of the opportunities he missed—opportunities that will keep her from going hungry. Aware that her father struggles to make ends meet, she secretly enters his workshop and, in an attempt to make his wares more enticing, paints all his toys. As Asha says, “A little bit of colorful paint makes anything beautiful.” But will Papa appreciate her efforts, or will he feel that she has overstepped by focusing on her painting instead of her homework? The story’s greatest strength is the layered, loving relationship between Asha and her father, and it explains Papa’s past poverty with empathy. The conflict between the characters rings true, as does Asha’s sweet and spunky narratorial voice. While the illustrations are whimsical and vibrant, the small text is sometimes awkwardly placed and difficult to find. Nevertheless, this tale of a loving father-daughter bond is sure to delight readers of all ages. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A tender depiction of a loving, working-class Indian family.