ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2020)

Sadiq spends his days watching over the sheep as they graze, observing the colors and shapes that surround him in the alpine terrain of the Kashmir Valley. They remind him of his mother's embroidery, and there is nothing Sadiq loves more than embroidering. His mother occasionally allows him to help her as she stitches rugs in the traditional Bakarwal style, but she disapproves of her son's interest in this craft that is considered women's work. Luminous watercolor illustrations capture the verdure of the Kashmir Valley and the bold colors of Ammi's embroidered rugs. Moreover, they depict the close relationship between mother and son as she teaches him, despite her own reluctance. Sadiq dreams of earning his mother's approval and being allowed to embroider, and when he gets the chance, his dream comes true. In this tender tale of possibility and hope, the message is both universal and culturally specific, bringing attention to a part of the world seldom seen in literature. Back matter provides context about the unique lives and craft of the Bakarwal people.

Kirkus Reviews

In this book that looks at gender stereotyping from a male perspective, young Sadiq loves to stitch, like his mother.Unfortunately, in his community, only women and girls embroider beautiful patterns on rugs, while men and boys tend to their sheep and goats. How can Sadiq convince Ammi of his passion for stitching? Sadiq is a nomadic Bakarwal goatherd in the mountainous region of Kashmir in India. This picture book gives an authentic peek into the lush meadows and high mountains where his tribe travels to find the best grass for their herd, sipping their noon-cha (tea with milk, salt, and baking powder) to keep warm. It also highlights gender stereotypes in his community, which allow only women to work on the unique free-form embroidery that Sadiq loves-so he stitches in secret. When Ammi falls ill and is unable to complete a commission, Sadiq surprises her with a rug he embroidered, causing her to reverse her position abruptly to support his needlework ambitions. Colorful watercolor illustrations show expansive landscapes, vibrant embroidered rugs, and the dark-haired, dark-eyed, fair-skinned Muslim Bakarwal people wearing traditional clothes and headgear. The author's note at the end of the book gives a few more details about this small shepherding community. There is no glossary or pronunciation guide for young readers unfamiliar with the culture.Defying gender stereotypes, this book touches upon important topics. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

-He was happiest when his long needle danced through a maze of multi-colored threads and wondrous patterns came alive under his fingers.- Sadiq-s community is the Bakarwals of Kashmir, India, who travel with their goats and sheep through the year. In sturdy, colorful spreads, Wadia (Saving the Dalai Lama-s Cranes) portrays mountain scenery and the tent where Sadiq lives with his widowed mother, Ammi, who stitches rugs in bright yarn motifs. Sadiq delights in helping Ammi and dreams of more ambitious textile projects, but Ammi is reluctant due to heavy social pressure: -Have you ever seen any other boy in our community stitch?- When his mother falls ill and can-t complete a commission, Sadiq grabs his chance. In prose by Nainy (A Brush with Indian Art) that leans toward the reportorial (-He lifted his tousled head from his pillow-), she delivers triumph for Sadiq and warm gratification in his mother-s prompt about-face, creating a warm picture of gender role resistance. An end note, -The Bakarwals of Kashmir,- further details the ethnic group and its art form. Ages 7-9. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2020)

K-Gr 2 A young boy dares to pursue his passion in this warmly illustrated picture book. Sadiq, a young boy living with his mother in the mountains, spends his days herding sheep and dreaming of making beautiful stitches. His mother embroiders rugs to sell and Sadiq admires the vibrant designs and colors and longs to make his own. Embroidery work is not traditionally done by the men and boys of their community, however, and his mother discourages him from trying. But Sadiq secretly practices his stitches in the evening when his mother is asleep. When she falls ill one night and is unable to fulfill an order for rugs, Sadiq surprises her with the beautiful rug he has been working on at night. This simple, heartwarming story shines a light on the Bakarwals, a nomadic community of shepherds and goatherds in the Pir Panjal ranges and the Himalayan mountains of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Wadia's delicate watercolor and pencil illustrations showcase the ornate designs of the embroidered rugs (a traditional shepherd craft of the Bakarwal people) and convey the emotional range of the story. VERDICT Recommended for libraries looking to diversify their picture book collections to reflect the wider world. Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood P.L., MA