Beautiful Layers of Me

Description: "Ameena can't wait for her auntie's Nikah. She's never been to a wedding, and today there is one in her own garden! After putting on the salwar kameez that Babu gave her, with its soft layers of floaty fabric, she feels like a princess, skipping down the garden path. "Oh wow!" comes a friendly voice over the fence. "I wish I had pajamas like that!" Suddenly Ameena, her cheeks hot, starts to wonder: should she wear something else?"--Provided by publisher.

Review Quotes: An affirming story about accepting and loving ourselves and our cultural traditions.
--Kirkus Reviews

Payne's tender text and Mhasane's softly rendered illustrations in colored pencil and watercolor capture Ameena blooming from an insecure girl to one who takes pride in her implied Indo-Caribbean culture. . . .A sincere ending. . . .shows the rich and intricate layers of their diverse cultures that make them beautiful and empowers viewers to embrace their identity with confidence.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books