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

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.