Fed up with her hand-me-down wardrobe that is filled with old, stained, and faded fabrics, Priya works hard to earn enough money to buy a new pavadai. When she finally gets it, it’s perfect—the colors are vibrant, and there is not a single rip or stain. But then . . . she spills, trips, splats, and more, making her brand-new outfit far from perfect. But with the help of her family, Priya realizes that old stains and faded fabrics hold fond memories and unforgettable stories. Maybe Priya’s perfect, brand-new outfit is not so perfect after all, and that’s what makes it—perfect. The energy, expression, and angst of Srividhya Venkat’s story is vividly brought to life by illustrator Vaishnavi Dukhande. A picture glossary of Tamil words with pronunciations and a hidden word activity complete this heartwarming picture book.

For ages 4-8.

About the Author
Srividhya Venkat is a former kindergarten teacher, oral storyteller, and children’s author. She enjoys writing stories that reflect nuances of her love for her roots in India. Her books include Seeker of Truth, Girls on Wheels, Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps, and The Clever Tailor. Srividhya has won awards, such as the South Asia Book Award, SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and Peek-A-Book Children’s Choice Award (India). Her books have been placed on recognized book lists, such as NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books, Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books, and RISE: A Feminist Project Booklist. She is an active member of the Society for Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). When not reading or writing, Srividhya loves to listen to music, tinker with new recipes and explore the world outside her window. She now resides in the Chicago area with her family.

About the Illustrator
Vaishnavi Dukhande is a children’s book illustrator from Mumbai, where she grew up surrounded by stories thanks to her librarian mom. She spent most of her childhood drawing cartoons and book characters and never really stopped. Now, self-taught with a playful, story-first style, she works digitally (with podcasts on) and paints in oils just for fun. When she’s not drawing, Vaishnavi’s probably hiking or deep into a fantasy-thriller novel.