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AMERICAN DESI, (by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, art by Supriya Kelkar, Little, Brown, 6/21/2022)

For fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, this poetic story filled with expressive art empowers South Asian children living in the United States and celebrates being bicultural.

A young girl longs to know where she fits in: Is she American? Or is she Indian? Does she have to pick or can she be both? With bright, joyful rhyme, and paired with an immersive art style using American and Indian fabrics, American Desi celebrates the experiences of young children growing up first and second generation Indian American: straddling the two cultural worlds they belong to, embracing all they love of both worlds and refusing to be limited by either.

This story is a powerful tribute to the joy of being South Asian and for every reader who aspires to bridge their worlds with grace, grit, and confidence.

Cover Reveal for American Desi on Mr. Schu’s Watch. Connect. Read.!

“Sumptuous illustrations formed by collages of textured and printed fabrics provide the visual metaphor for the many threads that weave together harmoniously in the girl’s community” – ALA Booklist

American Desi is part of the clue and answer in the USA Today crossword puzzle!

Watch Colby Sharp talk about reading American Desi here!

Here Wee Read podcast on American Desi

Publisher’s Weekly In Conversation on American Desi

American Desi in the Miami Times

And here’s Colby with the finished book!

MY DIWALI LIGHT (by Raakhee Mirchandani, art by Supriya Kelkar, Little, Brown, 9/20/2022)

On the Today Show!

Cover reveal on Mr. Schu’s Watch. Connect. Read.

on CNN’s Diwali gift guide, Today.com, Page Six, Parents.com, KTLA, Highlights, and Colby Sharp’s Book Mail, Vol. 80.

A charming holiday story following one girl’s family as they celebrate their Diwali traditions with the ones they love. Devi loves the Diwali season. It’s a time to wear her favorite red bindi and eat samosas until she bursts! Make mithai and design rangoli with her Papa. And paint diyas with her nani—a reminder to shine her light brightly all year long. This joyful story, with vibrant collage illustrations, follows one girl’s Diwali traditions as her family celebrates their favorite holiday with the ones they love.

Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of South Asian American experiences in a local community center. Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, where the local kids gather at the community center to discover new crushes, fight against ignorance, and even save a life.

A celebration of United States Vice President Kamala Harris—the first female, Black, and South Asian American person to be vice president of the US—from her childhood to her historic run for president.

Ever since she was a child defending against classroom bullies, Kamala Harris has been raising her hand. She raised her hand to advocate in her neighborhood, on her college campus, in court, and in Congress. Then in 2021, Kamala Harris raised her hand and became the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American vice president in the nation’s history. 

This celebration of standing up for what you believe in is a powerful message to children everywhere that you can find your voice, and find the courage to raise your hand for what you believe in, too!

Publishers Weekly on how we crashed this book

Colby Sharp unboxing Kamala Raised Her Hand