You want your kids to grow up as kind human beings, who don't learn differences right from the beginning? Normalise stories like these around them. I am so pleased to see this book even exists...it is such a huge leap from the traditional shackles of relationships.

Such an incredibly important book celebrating love! Children’s books like this are so incredibly vital for children to be able to read.

I don't know why I am so late in reviewing this book when I was singing its praises to everyone once I finished it. I absolutely loved this book with my whole heart.

Beautiful! A great book to introduce some of the culture around Asian weddings as well as religious and LGBT aspects to younger people. This book was done in a sensitive way, without being preachy or overly didactic, or detracting any joy from a nice story to share with kids.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

With Ritu Weds Chandi, author Ameya Narvankar not only showcases a wedding that highlights the notion of love is love is love, but teaching us a great deal about Desi wedding traditions. Young Ayesha is super excited to be dancing in the baraat ceremony for her favorite cousin, Rita. This is a ceremony usually performed by the groom's side of the family, but Rita is marrying another woman. While some do not agree with the marriage or the ceremony, the family continues forward and shows their love and support to Rita and Chandi. This is an absolutely beautiful book that really shines a light on the idea of keeping old traditions while changing our way of thinking.

Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar is a much needed desi book! Even though the same sex relationship has been decriminalized recently in India, we cant say that it is no longer treated as taboo or accepted by everyone. If that is the case of just the relationship, think of the case of same sex marriage!

The book told in the pov of a child tells lots of message. Only as we grow up we were taught to be prejudiced, little minds that are uncorrupted can always see the love in all its forms! That's exactly how Ayesha views her cousin's wedding to her girlfriend.

I wish I had such books to read in my childhood. Definitely buying a physical copy for keepsake and to spread awareness!

This graphic novel was so inspiring and lovely to read. It's a short graphic novel that explores so much in just 35 pages and I am glad to have read it. I hope this book reaches a lot of people and is able to change opinions and make same sex marriage more acceptable and put love in people's hearts.

The story of Ayesha, who being young, takes on the conservative and bigoted Indian society to get her cousin Ritu married to Chandni, Ritu Weds Chandni is a very cute, inspiring Indian story that teaches the younger generation a lesson about love and homosexual marriages. Being just 35 pages long, this short yet bigger story teaches a very simple, yet a serious lesson about acceptance of homosexual relationships and marriages. And the author chose a very special teacher in Ayesha. Being so much young, and yet having a deep understanding and the courage to fight against the conservative Indian society, Ayesha represents those people who are helping LGBT people live their lives with their partners, without any problems.
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Love is blind, the society isn't. But yes, the society gets blind when it comes to accepting same-sex relationships and marriages. And if I talk about our dear India, the problem gets more serious. LGBT people being forced to hide their identities to please the forever conservative Indian society, then being beaten up by the goons of Karni Sena, Bajrang Dal and the alike just because they chose be honest with themselves instead of moulding into a forced Indian pattern of marriages - the list of problems is endless. But Ayesha gives us a hope that we all can get out of our own imposed social barriers and help LGBT people being free in a bigoted Indian society.

What a precious story! I’m so glad the publishers chose to support this own voices Lgbtq+ picture book based in India.
It gives a great insight to the present homophobia and stereotypical mentality of our society while carries the same the innocence and enthusiasm of a child at a wedding who doesn’t know the difference in Love based on genders.
Amazed at how beautiful the art was, the proper features, colours etc of brown people, simply stunning!

Ayesha has been looking forward to the day of her favorite cousin’s wedding. Now it is finally here and her family is getting all dressed up to dance in the baraat. Tradition was that the groom brings the baraat to the wedding, so Ayesha’s parents are worried about what the response will be to Ritu leading her baraat herself. Once at the house, Ayesha discovers that many of her family aren’t going to attend the wedding, since it’s a marriage between two women. Soon the wedding procession began with Ritu on horseback, but they are met with anger and harsh words by the people along the route. People wanted to stop the procession, which was now silent and stifled. Even Chandni joining them could not lift their spirits when someone sprayed them both with water, ruining their outfits and hair. Ayesha could not stay silent, stepping forward to say that she wanted to dance all the way despite the angry people!

It is wonderful to see a book take a wedding tradition and show how a same-sex couple can make it work. This book doesn’t shy away from the fact that people’s attitudes have not changed about gay marriage, instead making it an opportunity to show exactly what being an ally looks like, especially if you are a child.

The art in this book has is a mixture of the flatness of folk art and a modern edginess that incorporates watercolor washes and vibrant colors. The deep reds of the wedding couple’s clothes, the golds of the bangles and backgrounds, the wash of teal water and leaves all combine into a vibrant world of love and standing up for acceptance.

Get ready to dance yourself with this LGBT picture book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Little Ayesha is excited for her cousin Ritu's wedding to her girlfriend Chandni. The story is about their struggle to gain acceptance in our Indian society. It is a short picture book of about 35 pages & I finished it in about 10 mins. The book was adorable, beautiful & sweet. Illustrations are so beautiful & perfectly depict the colourfulness & vibrancy of our indian culture which I loved.😍 The message in thebook was most important & beautiful. I did not expect a picture book to make me this emotional in just few pgs but it did! It is the kind of book that I would want my kids & the future generations to read. Thank you to the author for writing this.🌈❤

I cannot even begin to tell you, how much needed this book is for the people of India especially the elder citizens, their theory that same sex relationships is a modern concept and only exists abroad, while it is a taboo to even talk about in India, the author shows two Indians being in love and wishing for their families blessings and acceptance and support. I loved the little narrator's characters and the fact that she narrated the story while she herself was trying to understand the happenings around her, and with pure heart she accepts the relationship and wishes her best.

It was lovely to see an Indian Wedding in a book and that too with stunning illustrations and colors.
I wish to read more books by the author.

What an absolutely gorgeous children’s book! a true celebration of love, with beautiful and bright art reinforcing words of love and acceptance. Seeing little Ayesha delight in celebrating the wedding of her beloved aunt Ritu, and then grapple with why people would oppose that wedding, both quietly, by not attending, and forcefully, by assaulting the wedding procession, and then circle back to celebrating, was a beautiful story. Kids understand love and acceptance. They must be taught to hate. And beautiful books like this help to make sure that they are taught love, not hate.

This a terrific, diverse book, celebrating Indian culture, complete with traditional food, clothing, and ceremonies, along with a number of Hindi words. (There’s a guide in the back of the book, if you and whoever you’re sharing this with aren’t sure from context what they mean.). There’s obviously a focus on LGBTQ+ acceptance, with an afterword by the author talking about his experience with/ knowledge of homophobia in his culture. And there are additional representations of diversity in the background characters, including at least one Black party member.

Highly recommended to share with the kids in your life and/ or add to your collection.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley and Yali Books/ @yalibooks for giving me a digital #advancedcopy of #RituWedsChandni in exchange for an honest review.

Ritu Weds Chandni explains the culture and traditions of weddings. The excitement of the young Ayesha who is attending the wedding is shown throughout the book as well as the disapproving views of family and the community. As someone who did not know the Hindi words sprinkled throughout the books, it was hard to read with constantly trying to figure out the words. The community disapproval of the two brides and fear of the brides provides a conversation point for children and their adults. Ayesha stands up to the disapproval and shows that it is okay to be different. The author's note provide an additional explanation of the laws in India, the author's past, additional readings and hope for the future. This book provides a view into different cultures and weddings as well as standing up for the people you love and believe in.

Such a wholesome book with a beautiful message and illustrations. I hope this book becomes mainstream in India!

Beautiful colorful pages! Great illustrations and a great message! This book follows the traditional Hindi wedding along a baraat but it is interrupted because of the anger of neighbors at the fact that it is a wedding of two women. This story shows the strength and love a child has for her family, her traditions and her happiness. The story includes many wonderful words and a list at the end to know the meanings of these unfamiliar terms. A book with the message of love and acceptance.

I don't read children's books but decided to check out Ritu Weds Chandni since it was highly recommended. I am so glad I did. The book is a hidden gem. The book is beautifully illustrated. And the story from a child's point of view speaks of innocence. A must-read for south-Asian parents. It is high time we start the conversation.

Ritu Weds Chandni is a welcome change in the category of Children books. A book which captures the empathy urgently needed in the 21st century while highlighting the story of Indian characters.

I loved how beautiful and simple the illustrations were through the book. It captured the happiness of a wedding through Ayesha and the innocence of children who see love as love.

It's a great conversation starter between parents and children, a story which shows the victory of love over all odds and most importantly while having the support of family is one which needs to be told to our children more today. It teaches them empathy and acceptance which at the end of the day is what most of look for.

This is a gorgeous and important Childrens book that dives into queer people and Desi weddings. Gorgeous illustrations and a very important story!

I am not South Asian and I haven’t read a children’s book in a long time, so my thoughts on this book are not the most important. That said, this book was absolutely beautiful in both story and visuals. It caught my interest because I am passionate about LGBTQ rights and I enjoy learning about different cultures. Homophobia is a big element of the story, but the overall message is one of support for this wedding between two brides. Ayesha’s love for her cousin, who is one of the brides, is a beacon of happiness. I teared up while reading this and the note at the end from the author was perfect (in my opinion). This can be appreciated by many audiences and I’d recommend it to anyone interested!