A lyrical and charming picture book celebrating henna, a traditional plant-based form of temporary tattooing in South Asian, North African, and Middle Eastern cultures. Henna is so much more than a form of temporary body art. Henna is nature—seeds sprouted into shrubs, leaves kissed by tropical rain. Henna is color—the orange of juicy mangoes, sun-kissed brown, or as black as the feathers of crows. Henna is fragrance—earthy and nutty, lemony and clove-y. The intricate patterns of flowers, feathers, vines, and other symbols painted and stained onto skin has been a tradition in cultures all around the world for thousands of years. Beautiful and eye-catching, henna also carries the scents, textures, and colors of family and identity. Brilliantly illustrated by Anu Chouhan, Marzieh Abbas’ picture book serves young readers as a lyrical love letter to henna.
Note: Device not to scale.