The Great Henna Party
Book Details
The Great Henna Party
Humera Malik, illus. Sunala Zohra. Newbury: Lantana Publishing Ltd, hb, 978 1 9152 4460 4, 2024, £12.99, 32pp.
Non fiction, picture book, 3-5 years
Little Noor has a big decision to make: whose name should she ask to be hidden within the swirls and patterns on her hands at the traditional henna party ahead of her cousin’s wedding?
In this simple text, perfectly judged to work in balance with rich, detailed illustrations, Noor thinks about those closest to her and how they express love – Mama and Baba, her grandparents and her big sister Neha – and ultimately decides to include everyone! Even beloved cat Fluffy features, a detail certain to captivate young children.
Ultimately, Noor holds everyone she loves in the palms of her hands – an image and concept that is as beautiful as it is heartwarming.
The family party itself, with special food and clothes, is vibrantly evoked through Noor’s excited eyes. Children will learn about the history and tradition of henna painting, the Urdu word for henna (Mehndi) and how a greenish paste results in deep red colour on the skin. With its strong narrative, the book offers educational elements wrapped in vivid, charming illustrations. Even the endpapers are filled with pretty henna patterns, testament to the exceptional design values that bring this story to life.
The author includes a letter to young readers at the end, describing her daughter’s excitement as she experienced this tradition for the very first time, bringing writer and readers even closer together.
Review by Dr Kate Lee