Goodreads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Supriya Cherian – As soon as I read Amma’s Sari, I have immediately fallen in love with it. In some ways, I was able to relate to the little girl Shreya in the story, who is an immigrant and was very curious that her mom wears a Sari when they go out. I grew up in India and in middle-grade school, when my mom used to attend the parent-teacher meetings, I was more worried about the Sari my mom was going to wear than my scores as I wanted her to wear her best Sari!
The ending of the story is very satisfying with a little twist where Shreya gets lost in the crowd and finally finds her mom as she could spot the saree in the midst of the moving crowd around her. Which took me again on a ride to my childhood days when I felt so much comfort and security in my mom’s sari.
Sandhya has written the story so clearly and precisely, the way the story is unfolding is very commendable. the illustrations are brilliant.
I strongly recommend this book to 5-10-year-olds esp for immigrant kids to feel represented and embrace their own culture. 

Inda Ahmad Zabri – Gorgeous book! The second picture book from Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira, and I loved it as much as the first. Shreya feels awkward when her Amma steps out in a sari, and she wishes, as many migrant children do, that her mum would just wear something … well … not so unusual. She feels as if people look at them differently and wants to hide away, but with Amma’s every bold step, Shreya learns the importance of the sari, as a palace of memories, and as part of their culture. Sandhya’s storytelling is lyrical and gentle, and Michelle’s illustrations are just superb. I love how the sari lifts and flows around them, a nurturing force on the page! This book is a wonderful spark in a world that so often still works against those who are different, a reminder that holding on to culture with pride is something worth doing.

Brooke Graham – Stunning illustrations and gorgeous lyrical writing makes this book a stand out! This is a story of a girl who loves her Amma (mother) dearly but is embarrassed by the attention her sari attracts as they walk through the streets. Eventually Shreya asks if Amma will always wear her sari. Amma shares memories of her past and explains why her sari is so important. When Shreya becomes lost in the crowd she frantically searches for the shimmering silk her mother is wearing. Amma’s Sari will help young children learn to appreciate their cultural differences. This book is as beautiful as Sandhya and Michelle’s first book, The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name.

Kirsten Ealand – What a gorgeous book!
Lyrical writing captures the internal emotional world of a child growing up in the Indian diaspora. The child loves her Amma (Mummy) whose beautiful sari symbolizes love and warmth and home, but she doesn’t like to stand out from others when out in the community and so wishes her Amma would wear something else. It’s not until the familiar sari helps her find Amma in a crowd that the child starts to reconcile her conflicting feelings and starts to feel pride in her cultural differences.
The illustrations use a rich palette of pinks and turquoise and cleverly manage to feel both very modern, depicting a cosmopolitan town with a wonderfully diverse array of people, and also retro/ traditional, when showing glimpses into Amma’s childhood.
Another beautiful book from author Sandhya Parappukkaran and illustrator Michelle Pereira. If you haven’t seen their first book, The Boy Who Tried to Shrink his Name, you are in for a treat.

Michelle Wanasundera – My daughter and I loved this. Just full of vibrant colour and the gentle message of a beautifully growing pride in one’s culture. We had to own this one.

Norah Colvin – This gorgeous picture books tells of a young girl’s initial embarrassment at, growing acceptance of, and final appreciation for her culture and all that entails. Told through the eyes of the young girl, we understand her feelings. Beautifully illustrated by Michelle Pereira.

Annaleise Byrd – Amma’s Sari is about a young girl who finds it hard to deal with the attention her amma’s (mother’s) colourful saris attract in public. Though Shreya loves her family, she struggles with the feeling of standing out when she’d rather blend in and go unnoticed. However, when a situation arises in which the bold shimmer of Amma’s sari saves the day, Shreya’s journey towards embracing her culture takes a big leap forward.
On the final page, in which Shreya walks boldly in public alongside her mother, the illustration shows part of Amma’s billowing, larger-than-life sari draped around Shreya too. What a clever and non-didactic way of showing the enveloping power of a mother’s love and example! It is this interplay between words and images that makes a good picture book so rich, able to reward an observant reader with new insights upon each re-read.
Lyrically written and stunningly illustrated, this heartwarming story provides insight into what it’s like to grow up experiencing one culture at home and another culture outside one’s front door. It will be especially appreciated by the children of immigrants, but also by anyone who has ever felt different. A wonderful addition to any library!

Maya – A book I wished I’d had when I was growing up. Takes me back to my Ba’s sari and all the sounds, textures and smells of her clothes. But also addresses the relatable conflict I felt as a child at having an Indian grandmother in very rural England. My heart sings every time I look at this book.