SONA SHARMA, VERY BEST BIG SISTER?

Sona Sharma lives with her mother, her father, her grandmother, her grandfather—and, very soon, a brand-new sibling!

Sona’s mother is almost ready to give birth, and her Hindu family is getting ready for the baby’s naming ceremony. During the ceremony, the baby will be given three names: one picked by the maternal grandparents, one picked by the paternal grandparents, and one chosen by the parents for the baby to use outside of the home. The baby’s names will then be written in a bed of rice, which is a typically Brahmin tradition. In India, families are not allowed to know if the baby is a boy or a girl, so Sona’s family is preparing two lists of names. Sona plans to help choose a girl’s name, but making a list is harder than she thought, even with the help of her toy elephant. Will Sona be able to come up with the perfect name for the baby while also juggling all the changes that come with being a big sister? The book features a highly accessible story about transitioning from being an only child to a sibling, and it depicts well-developed, positive relationships among members of three generations, all of whom burst with personality. (Sona's maternal grandmother, a retired academician, is called the President, for instance.) The book’s female autorickshaw driver is a refreshing example of gender diversity.

A charming story about becoming a big sister.