An inventive little girl with a great big heart. To some, she’s a little sassy, but to most, she’s clearly clever with much on her mind. But mostly, she’s just like everyone else. Except that she’s exceptional at the monkey bars. Better than the boys even. Plus, she doesn’t yet know that the things you are made fun of for when you are a kid, are exactly what will make you fly when you’re all grown up.
about ALWAYS ANJALI
Meet Anjali! She's the spunky star of this picture book with a timeless message about appreciating what makes us special and honoring our different identities. Anjali and her friends are excited to buy matching personalized license plates for their bikes--but Anjali can't find a plate with her name. She is often teased about her "different" name, and this is the last straw. Anjali is so upset that she demands her parents let her pick a new name! When they refuse, Anjali decides to take a closer look at who she is--beyond her name--and why being different means being marvelous.
For Anjali, playing the tabla is something that comes naturally. She loves the feel of the drum beneath her fingers and getting lost in the music. But when the boys in her class give her a hard time for being better than them, she messes up on purpose. When her teacher announces a contest where the winner will get to perform with him at his next concert, Anjali is distraught. Winning the contest would be a dream for Anjali. But it seems like the better she gets, the meaner some of the kids are. In this follow up to Always Anjali, Anjali realizes that she should never let anyone make her feel bad for being good at something. An important story for all children to remember to ’never dim their light.'
Sheetal Sheth is an acclaimed actress known for her provocative performances in a wide range of memorable roles on film and television. She has starred in over 18 feature films and many TV shows and has earned a loyal following. Perhaps best known to mainstream film audiences for starring opposite Albert Brooks in Warner Bros’ LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD, Sheetal has become a favorite in the independent film world. She won 3 Best Actress nods in the festival circuit for THE WORLD UNSEEN and 1 for her role in WINGS OF HOPE, with the former premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and then going on to win 11 SAFTA’s (South African equiv to Oscars). In 2012, fans voted her ‘Favorite Movie Actress’ in AfterEllen’s Visibility Awards after raves in the cult fave I CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT. She was recently seen in the HBO documentary EAST OF MAIN STREET: TAKING THE LEAD, USA's DONNY! and the film GRIN (which she also produced) that has been winning awards in the festival circuit including Best Actress. Past TV guest star appearances include BLUE BLOODS, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, ROYAL PAINS, and NIP/TUCK. Sheetal has represented such brands as Reebok and CHI hair care. She was also the first Indian American to be featured in Maxim. She regularly speaks on panels and forums internationally and takes an active interest in politics. She served in President Clinton's AmeriCorps and is currently on the advisory board of Equality Now and an ambassador for The Representation Project. Sheetal has been known to lend a voice to many an animated program, most recently in FAMILY GUY. This is her first children's book. sheetalsheth.com
about LUCIA, illustrator of Bravo Anjali
Lucia Soto was born in a seaside town in northwestern Spain and grew up in a sunny town in the Mediterranean. She has lived in different places and is now based in London, where she lives with her husband and a tiny palm tree. She went to Art School graduating in Design and Plastic Arts and, after a few years working as an Art Director in a busy advertising agency, decided to pursue her lifelong passion for drawing and she has never looked back. She is interested in people and their stories through time and this is a major influence in her work. She finds inspiration in art and illustration from the early 20th century, vintage travel magazines, and the light of the Mediterranean as the landscape of her childhood. Aside from drawing, Lucia loves Julie London, Art Deco, overdressing, and walking everywhere. She spends her days drawing things that are half nonsense and a half all sense, the stuff that makes her life silly and beautiful. luciasoto.com
about JESSICA, illustrator of Always Anjali
Jessica Blank is an illustrator, explorer, and naturalist living in Texas. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art and Vermont College of Fine Arts for illustration and graphic design. When not drawing, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. This is her first picture book. jessicablank.com
about PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, publisher
Penguin Random House is the international home to more than 300 editorially and creatively independent publishing imprints. Our mission is to ignite a universal passion for reading by creating books for everyone. We believe that books, and the stories and ideas they hold, have the unique capacity to connect us, change us, and carry us toward a better future for generations to come. penguinrandomhouse.com
about MANGO & MARIGOLD PRESS, publisher
Mango & Marigold Press is an award-winning independent publishing house that shares the sweet and savory stories of the South Asian experience. mangoandmarigoldpress.com