Sharing children’s books is one of my greatest joys because I believe teaching children to read is one of the most important things we can teach our children. Which is why I couldn’t wait to share always Anjali written by Sheetal Sheth and Illustrated by Jessica Blank.
I don’t know about you but growing up all my friends could find things with there names on it. Just like David and Charlie can but when it comes to my name there isn’t anything nor was there for Suzzane. Just like Anjali in the book.
Although, I never wanted to change my name I can understand why did and I am sure if Suzzie could have she would have as well. Even though her name was Deborah and and there is things maid with that name on it she didn’t want those items because she only wanted to be known as Suzzane.
Through Always Anjali I was able to share what Suzzane and I went through growing up. Which made David and Charlie more compassionate to the little girl in the book. Charlie got frustrated at how the kids made fun of her name and bullied her just like they did him when he was in Elementary School.
Charlie and I loved how she found out what her name meant and that she was from India another State for us to study. Seeing how she solved the problem was so cool and if you will excuse Charlie and I were off to make license plates for our bikes.
About:
Anjali and her friends are excited to get matching personalized license plates for their bikes. But Anjali can’t find her name. To make matters worse, she gets bullied for her “different” name, and is so upset she demands to change it
When her parents refuse and she is forced to take matters into her own hands, she winds up learning to celebrate who she is and carry her name with pride and power. A timeless story about appreciating what makes us special and honoring our differences.
Always Anjali is the Grand Prize Winner for the 2019 Purple Dragonfly Children’s Book Award.
About Sheetal Sheth
Sheetal Sheth is an acclaimed actress, producer, author, and activist. She is known for her provocative performances in a wide range of memorable roles on film and television. She has starred in over 20 feature films and many TV shows and is a favorite in the independent film world, having won five best actress awards on the film festival circuit. She has earned a loyal, international following.
Sheetal began her career at a time when few South Asians were making their living as actors. Despite being told she’d have to change her name to work, her successful career has trail-blazed paths for other women of color across media.
Sheth supports marginalized communities not only through her own pioneering work as an actor, but by also appearing at workshops and panels and speaking directly to issues facing those communities. She is known as an outspoken advocate and has delivered talks and keynotes at festivals and charity galas. She’s had op-eds published on CNN, The Daily Beast, and Thrive Global. She served in President Clinton’s AmeriCorps and is currently on the advisory board of Equality Now and an ambassador for CA First Partner, Jennifer Newsom’s, The Representation Project.
Her first children’s book, Always Anjali was published in 2018 to wide acclaim. It won the 2019 Purple Dragonfly Storybook Grand Prize (voted on by teachers and librarians) and is set to be a series, the first and only in this age group featuring an Indian American girl hero. The second installment, Bravo Anjali! will be published in 2021.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
