Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps by Srividhya Venkat; illustrated by Kavita Ramchandran (Yali Books, 2021). Thatha takes his granddaughter Varsha to weekly bharatanatyam classical dance lessons while her brother, Varun, tags along. Unexpectedly, the rhythm draws Varun in, but amid spirit crushing comments he’s uncertain that dance is for boys until Thatha shows his dance moves and reveals his past as a dancer in India. (Grades PK-2)
Award Status: Winner, 2022
Award Category: Young Readers
Author: Srividhya Venkat
Illustrator: Kavita Ramchandran
Read more and purchase on the publisher’s website.