SATA

• How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? Little, Brown and Co. (New York, NY), 2004
• T Is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet Sleeping Bear Press (Ann Arbor, MI), 2011
• This Is Our Baby, Born Today Nancy Paulsen Books (New York, NY), 2016
• The Home Builders Nancy Paulsen Books (New York, NY), 2019
• A Garland of Henna Nancy Paulsen Books (New York, NY), 2024
• Count Me In Nancy Paulsen Books (New York, NY), 2019
• Thirst Nancy Paulsen Books (New York, NY), 2022

1. A garland of henna LCCN 2023034854 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha, author. Main title A garland of henna / Varsha Bajaj ; illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan. Published/Produced New York : Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024. Projected pub date 1111 Description pages cm ISBN 9780593325117 (hardcover) (ebook) (kindle edition) CALL NUMBER PZ7.B1682 Gar 2024 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms 2. Thirst LCCN 2022000704 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha, author. Main title Thirst / Varsha Bajaj. Published/Produced New York : Nancy Paulsen Books, [2022] Projected pub date 2207 Description 1 online resource ISBN 9780593354407 (ebook) (hardcover) Item not available at the Library. Why not? 3. Count me in : a novel LCCN 2019009038 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha, author. Main title Count me in : a novel / Varsha Bajaj. Published/Produced New York : Nancy Paulsen Books, [2019] Description 175 pages ; 22 cm ISBN 9780525517245 (hardback) (ebook) CALL NUMBER PZ7.B1682 Cou 2019 CABIN BRANCH Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 4. The home builders LCCN 2018019374 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha, author. Main title The home builders / written by Varsha Bajaj ; illustrated by Simona Mulazzani. Published/Produced New York, NY : Nancy Paulsen Books, [2019] Description 1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm ISBN 9780399166853 (hardcover) CALL NUMBER PZ8.3.B165 Hk 2019 CABIN BRANCH Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 5. This is our baby, born today LCCN 2015033520 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha, author. Main title This is our baby, born today / Varsha Bajaj ; illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. Published/Produced New York, NY : Nancy Paulsen Books, [2016] Description 1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 26 cm ISBN 9780399166846 (hardback) 9781984814135 (board book) CALL NUMBER PZ7.B1682 Th 2016 CABIN BRANCH Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 6. Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood LCCN 2012287671 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha, author. Main title Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood / Varsha Bajaj. Published/Produced Chicago, Illinois : Albert Whitman & Company, 2014 Description 249 pages ; 21 cm ISBN 0807563633 (trade) 9780807563632 (trade) CALL NUMBER PZ7.B1682 Ab 2014 LANDOVR Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 7. T is for Taj Mahal : an India alphabet LCCN 2010030500 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha. Main title T is for Taj Mahal : an India alphabet / written by Varsha Bajaj ; illustrated by Robert Crawford. Published/Created Ann Arbor, MI : Sleeping Bear Press, c2011. Description 1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill., col. maps ; 27 x 30 cm. ISBN 9781585365043 (hbk. : alk. paper) 1585365041 (hbk. : alk. paper) CALL NUMBER DS407 .B318 2011 CABIN BRANCH Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 8. How many kisses do you want tonight? LCCN 2003040269 Type of material Book Personal name Bajaj, Varsha. Main title How many kisses do you want tonight? / by Varsha Bajaj ; illustrated by Ivan Bates. Edition 1st ed. Published/Created New York : Little, Brown and Co., c2004. Description 1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 27 cm. ISBN 0316823813 (reinforced bdg.) Links Contributor biographical information http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0742/2003040269-b.html CALL NUMBER PZ8.3.B165 Ho 2004 FT MEADE Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE CALL NUMBER PZ8.3.B165 Ho 2004 FT MEADE Copy 2 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE

• It’s Showtime, Kavi Hardcover (Varsha Bajaj (Author), Pavarti Pillai (Illustrator)) - 2023 American Girl Publishing, Middleton, WI
• Thirst - 2022 Nancy Paulsen Books , New York, NY
• Count Me In - 2019 Nancy Paulsen Books , New York, NY
• Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood - 2014 Albert Whitman & Company , Park Ridge, IL

• Fantastic Fiction -

  Varsha Bajaj

  Genres: Children's Fiction

  Series
  American Girl: Girl of the Year
  It's Showtime, Kavi (2023)
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  Novels
  Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (2014)
  Count Me in (2019)
  Thirst (2022)
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  Collections
  The Magic Paintbrush and Other Enchanted Tales (2020) (with Henry Lien and Jennifer Torres)
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  Novellas and Short Stories
  Truth Behind the Scenes (2020)
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  Picture Books hide
  How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? (2004)
  T Is for Taj Mahal (2011)
  This Is Our Baby, Born Today (2016)
  The Home Builders (2019)
  A Garland of Henna (2024)

• Varsha Bajaj website - https://www.varshabajaj.com/

  About Me
  Professional Bio
  Varsha Bajaj is the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade novel, Thirst, Count Me In, and Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood, which was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included in the Spirit of Texas Reading program. She also wrote the picture books The Home Builders (a Dolly Parton Imagination library selection) and This is Our Baby, born Today (a Bank Street Best Book). She grew up in Mumbai, India, and when she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books. She lives in Houston, Texas.

  My Story
  My story begins in Mumbai, India, in the early 1960s in a rambling house built in 1929 surrounded by coconut, guava, and betel nut trees. I grew up in a large joint family.

  My father and grandfather were perfumers, always sniffing and perfecting blotter strips of sandalwood and jasmine. Making perfumes became part of my imaginative play. Didn’t everyone make perfumes of dirt, crushed flowers and pebbles?

  I devoured Amar Chitra Katha comic books with stories from Indian mythology and was introduced to Marathi children’s theater by my parents.

  I read cross culturally. British author Enid Blyton’s series set in England, about boarding schools, caravans and unfamiliar foods like blancmange were favorites, along with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series. The yearning to see and experience a diverse world was born.

  My grandfather influenced my reading choices as I got older, introducing me to Jane Austen, and P.G. Wodehouse.

  On September 13th, 1986, I came to America as a graduate student.

  Young, naive, and idealistic, I arrived at Lambert international Airport in St. Louis with two suitcases, a few dollars and dreams. A student from the Foreign Student’s Office was supposed to meet me, with a sign. He wasn’t there. After waiting alone for an interminably long hour, I dug out my quarters (kept in case of an emergency that I hoped wouldn’t happen) and read unfamiliar directions to make a call. Another long hour later a student walked up and said, “Varsha?”

  I blinked tears and nodded.

  “Welcome to America,” he said.

  We drove into Illinois in uncomfortable silence.

  I felt a frightening loneliness. Everyone I knew and loved was a world away. Alien streets without people whizzed past me on the highway.

  Then I read familiar words, “Mississippi River.” Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and Mark Twain had introduced me to it.

  That day a book made a scared girl from India feel less alone. Such is the power of story. It crosses boundaries, cultures. My adjustment to this country was facilitated by my knowledge of the language and my awareness of the culture through books, movies and music.

  After a dozen intermediate years in which I got a Master’s degree, almost completed a doctorate, worked as a Counselor, got married, had children and became a citizen, I started writing. It was 1999, and I’d fallen in love with the picture book while reading aloud to my kids.

  I continue to write today…

• Cynsations - https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2019/05/survivors-varsha-bajaj-on-thriving-as-a-long-time-actively-publishing-childrens-author/

  Career Achievers: Varsha Bajaj on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s Author
  Home » Career Achievers: Varsha Bajaj on Thriving as a Long-Time, Actively Publishing Children’s Author
  By Cynthia Leitich Smith

  Varsha Bajaj is a successful children’s author with a long, distinguished career.

  In children’s-YA writing, maintaining an active publishing career is arguably an even bigger challenge than breaking into the field.

  Reflecting on your personal journey (creatively, career-wise, and your writer-artist’s heart), what bumps did you encounter and how have you managed to defy the odds to achieve continued success?

  My first book—How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?— was illustrated by Ivan Bates and published by Little, Brown in 2004. It was well received. It won awards and recognition and sales followed. The board book version continues to be in print and that feels like a miracle in today’s publishing environment.

  I had left behind a secure job as a therapist to dive into writing, and the success of the book was much needed affirmation.

  In the midst of the celebration, life happened, as it does. Between 2005 and 2008, we faced adversities as a family that threatened home and health, and it felt like we were in the midst of a storm. I came very close to putting down the pen and returning to a dependable monthly paycheck.

  Those years were tough as a writer, too. It felt like I was wearing Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak. Harry’s cloak helped him get to places unseen. I wanted to rip my cloak with my bare hands.

  Agents and editors did not see me.

  I had always been a reader, but I started reading like a writer. My years of graduate school had taught me how to learn. I applied those strategies to my writing. I underlined sentences, analyzed structure and deconstructed scenes. I read craft books too. I was putting in the 10,000 hours of practice that Malcolm Gladwell talked about in his book Outliers: The Story of Success (Little, Brown, 2008).

  Unbeknownst to them, Gary Schmidt, Matt de la Peña, Jacqueline Woodson, Doreen Cronin, Kate DiCamillo, Mem Fox, Laurie Halse Anderson mentored me through their books.

  Varsha Bajaj with Kathi Appelt at the launch party of This Is Our Baby, Born Today (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2016)
  If you had it to do all over again, what—if anything—would you do differently and why?

  I’ve learnt that just like ideas come from everywhere, lessons can be learnt anywhere. I learnt an important lesson sitting on my couch watching “American Idol” in 2008. It was easy to see which singers would make it through in the audition rounds, but once you got to Hollywood week, the competition became fierce. When it got down to the semifinals, it became subjective.

  Nancy Paulsen Books, 2019
  I drew parallels between my manuscript submissions over the years and the competition process. My first submissions were easily eliminated and met with the deafening silence they deserved. But over time as my work got stronger, I started getting personal rejections with possibly a helpful comment or two.

  As an audience member, I was listening and eliminating contestants just like editors and agents make a choice every day.

  Publishing is a business, the decision to acquire a manuscript is not personal. Your manuscript is a product and must be, in the end, marketable.

  In December 2010, I threw off my invisibility cloak. My agent, Jill Corcoran, read my words and saw me. In 2013, Nancy Paulsen read my work and saw me, too. I did celebrate that two-picture book deal, even in my state of shock. In 2018, when Jill quit agenting to become the Director of Publishing at the Smithsonian, the amazing Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency saw me, too.

  If I had to do it again, I’d protect myself from being as crushed by rejection and the hurtful silence of agents and editors. I’d remind myself that marketing comes naturally to some. Some of us have to work at it. Practice does make it easier, if not perfect.

  Today I am not as hard on myself. I do what feels comfortable to me.

  I would think hard and long about quitting a day job, especially if you’re a person who is comforted by the achievement of tangible goals and the all-important paycheck.

  I would also celebrate each small victory with cake. Like when How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? was released in South Korea, or I got fan mail from a girl who essentially outlined book two for Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (Albert Whitman, 2014).

  Varsha Bajaj and Cynthia Leitich Smith
  The field and body of literature are always evolving. For you, what have been the stand-out changes in the world children’s-YA writing, literature and publishing? What do you think of them and why?

  I wasn’t on social media when my first book came out in 2004. Regardless, it is my bestselling book to date. Social media has the power to reach so many and to create a sense of community and belonging. The ability to share the triumphs and the struggles of the creative life is essential for sanity.

  Picture books and physical books have both survived dire predictions.

  The We Need Diverse Books movement was a game changer. Back in the 2000s, I couldn’t have imagined that an imprint at a major publishing house would be called Kokila.

  In 2009, I was asked by an agent if there was a market for stories like mine. That question coming from an industry professional made me question and doubt.

  In the not so distant past, “professional” reviewers felt it was okay to make references to “spice” from an author of East Indian origin. Other “esteemed” councils felt it was okay to make comparisons and be disparaging.

  Times have changed.

  Thank Goodness, times have changed.

  What advice would you give to your beginner self, if that version of you was a debut author this year?

  Believe in yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.

  Learn to stand up for yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.

  This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

  Surround yourself with a supportive community.

  Critique groups are vital because feedback is a writer’s fuel. Find a partner/group that gets your work. For example, I wouldn’t be a good critique partner for someone who writes horror. I’m not familiar with the genre or its sensibilities.

  Critique groups are not necessarily for life. If you were in a job that wasn’t a good fit, you would look for a new one. Sometimes paths and schedules differ along the way. Sometimes goals and needs change. Hopefully, the personal friendship will survive the professional ups and downs.

  What do you wish for children’s-YA writers and readers, looking to the future?

  See a book talk from Colby Sharp on Count Me In (Nancy Paulsen Books, August 2019).
  That stories transport kids to all corners of the globe, touch their hearts, and make them citizens of the world.

  As a writer, what do you wish for yourself in the future?

  That the creative muse stays with me.

  That I can reach young readers, librarians and teachers.

  That I continue to write with integrity, heart and a sense of humor.

  That my critique group, my agent and my editors caution me if I don’t.

  Cynsational Notes

• Cynsations - https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2005/09/author-interview-varsha-bajaj-on-how/

  Author Interview: Varsha Bajaj on How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?
  Home » Author Interview: Varsha Bajaj on How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?
  How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? by Varsha Bajaj, illustrated by Ivan Bates (Little Brown, 2004). From the catalog copy: “As the day comes to an end, each precious little animal nestles into its cozy place and waits to be tucked in by its parent. Bears, horses, bunnies, ducks and even snakes request the required number of goodnight kisses to get them to drift off to sleep. From one to ten (and then some!) these tender kisses are part of a reassuring bedtime ritual for animals and people alike.” Ages 4-up.

  What was your inspiration for creating this book?

  My inspiration was a bedtime ritual I began with my son, when he started counting way back in 1996. Being a children’s writer was not even a gleam in my eye then. I would ask him how many kisses he wanted, and it would lead to much kissing, counting, and laughter. My daughter was born in 1997. We had another player in our bedtime game!

  In 1999, I was trying to finish a doctoral thesis on “The Ethical decision making process” as it applied to counselors (A 10 on the exact, dry and boring scale). I found myself doodling and scribbling about hugs and kisses and bedtime instead. I decided to give in and learn about writing for children.

  I also remember nights when I was bone tired and just wanted to get through bedtime. The words of Goodnight Moon or Sam McBratney’s Guess How Much I Love You would lift my fatigue and make bedtime special.

  I wanted to create a bedtime book that was warm and sweet and reeked of unconditional love! Not easy, given that I have a dark side prone to depressive thoughts!

  What was the timeline between spark and publication, and what were the major events along the way?

  I wrote the first draft in 2000. I made the decision that I wanted the book to have a universal appeal. Animals are ultimately “multicultural.”

  I wanted a succession of animal parents to ask the question, “How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?” of their children. Most of the animals chose themselves; they sat in my daughter’s stuffed animal hammock! My son, by this time was six. I threw in the spider and the snake to satisfy his boyish fascination with all things icky! He was also developing a sense of humor and would ask for an impossible number of kisses on the occasional night! It gave me the idea for the twist in the end, with the girl and boy asking for hundred and million kisses each. The story ends with the question being posed to the reader. I wanted to ensure that the reader joined in the fun! The first draft had only Mom animals posing the question. Rajeev (my husband) was offended. The second draft had Moms and Dads!

  After many revisions, and invaluable help, and encouragement from a very patient critique group, I had a completed manuscript in 2001. There I was an unpublished, unagented writer with a manuscript! Most publishing houses were closed to me! Houston SCBWI hosted Editor’s Day in February 2001. Editors from closed houses, including Little Brown, agreed to accept one manuscript each from attending writers. It was my golden ticket! That day two out of five editors talked about how difficult it was to sell a bedtime story and five out of five editors cautioned against writing in rhyme. I was depressed! I came home and binged on shrimp curry and rice (my ultimate comfort food).

  What were the challenges (literary, research, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

  Mary Gruetzke from Little Brown & Co. called in Sept 2001 and offered to buy my manuscript! I was an Editor’s Day success story! The publication date was April 2004.

  I understand now why editors and seasoned writers caution against writing in rhyme. It is incredibly difficult. Mary, my editor was patient yet demanding in her quest for getting the rhythm and rhyme as perfect as possible. My nightmares rhymed! I often wonder if I would have chosen rhyme had I been more aware, but then Ignorance is bliss. The opening lines wrote themselves, and I just followed their lead.

  My biggest psychological challenge was separating from the characters I created. Ivan’s (Ivan Bates) fabulous illustrations made me fall in love with them all over again. I wondered what each animal would do after they woke up the next morning, what would they “feel” like doing that day? Unfortunately, the manuscript didn’t sell! The rejection forced me to move on!

  Cynsational Notes

  Awards for “How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?” include: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award (2004); NAPPA (National Association of Parenting Publications) Gold Award, 2004-2005; Texas Library Association’s 2×2 list 2004-2005; Finalist, Texas Institute of Letters, Austin Public Library Award. Congratulations, Varsha!

  Editor Mary E. Gruetzke, formerly of Little Brown, left Scholastic for Walker this month. Her title is “senior editor.” Source: The Purple Crayon.

  Cynsational News & Links

  Apologies for any recent code glitches. In particular, the interviews are loaded in with coding from other programs, and sometimes, my clean-up efforts go better than others.

• Maria Marshall - https://www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/2019/01/09/the-picture-book-buzz-interview-with-varsha-bajaj

  The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Varsha Bajaj
  Varsha Bajaj's story began in Mumbai, India. The books she read as a child by Enid Blyton, Carolyn Keene, and Mark Twain sparked an interest to travel and explore these strange distant worlds she and her sister found in these books. Arriving in the U.S. for grad school, she felt welcomed by the Mississippi river, as if she'd found an old friend. (Check out her web page for more about Mark Twain and her biography).

  I'd like to introduce you to Varsha. In addition to her sweet picture books, she has written a MG novel set in Bollywood. This Tuesday, Varsha welcomes her third picture book, The Home Builders.

  Welcome Varsha,

  ME: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite type of book to write?)

  VARSHA: I had always written little things, Poems, diary ramblings, that kind of thing.

  The dream of publishing a children’s book was born around 2000. We had moved to Houston and I had taken what I thought was a short break from my day job as a therapist. I worked at the St. Louis University Medical Center prior to our move in 1998. My children were young.

  I sold my first picture book, How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? Illustrated by Ivan Bates, (Little Brown 2004) in 2001 at an SCBWI conference and then there was no turning back.

  I typically write in the morning when my mind is sharp, and the day stretches ahead of me with potential.

  (*Curious about timing in this business? Notice that the manuscript sold in 2001 & published in 2007!*)

  What is something no one (or few) knows about you?

  I love Indian music and old Bollywood songs and used to sing as a teen.

  The premise of comparing animals based on the homes they build is ingenious. What was your inspiration for The Home Builders?

  The Home Builders was inspired by my own empty nest. After my daughter went to college in 2015, I was reflective of the experience of having built a home, had babies, and a family. How fast those years fly by.

  So, it took about four years work to get this book published. you have two other published picture books – This is Our Baby, Born Today (2016), and How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? (2007). Would you say there is a common thread that runs through your picture books?

  How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?, This is Our Baby, Born Today and The Home Builders are all written in verse.

  But, here’s the thing, I don’t see myself as a poet. I love poetry. Writing in rhyme is challenging and I promised myself that I’d never do it again after How Many Kisses. You can see how that worked out.

  You have to be very mindful of rhythm and beats to ensure that rhyme works. The first lines of all three books “came” to me and I had to follow their lead.

  I'd say it worked out very well. Did your experience with The Home Builders, either the writing, research, or publishing, differ from your other books? If so, how?

  I was working with Nancy Paulsen, my editor extraordinaire at Penguin for the second time. We had worked on This is Our Baby, Born Today. I was therefore just a smidge less intimidated but just as grateful for the opportunity.

  The Home Builders required research to ensure that I was depicting the animal homes accurately.

  I love all the extras that Simona Mulazzani added to the pictures (like plant roots, other animals, etc.) that helped make the homes accurate. Is there something you want your readers to know about The Home Builders?

  I’ve structured The Home Builders with questions which invite the child and the adult reader to search, find, and interact with the words and pictures. The parents, teachers, and authors reading to the children may find the “hidden” pattern. The first line of the verses/answers refers to the turtles. Then comes the fox, the beaver, the owl, the mole, the bees, the deer and the eagle.

  Maintaining the order in rhyme made it a bear to write. But it allows a child to follow a favorite animal. I also chose not to name the parents, only the babies.

  Ultimately I hope the text makes a child feel safe.

  It is a very soothing rhythm and story, I think you accomplished your goal. How different was it to write your middle grade novel, Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (2015)? Do you prefer one genre over the other?

  Picking a genre is like picking a favorite child. I can’t.

  I’m not strictly a pantser or a plotter. I fall somewhere in the middle. I “plot” the main events of the story and then let my characters lead me to them. I’m more of a plotter with a middle grade novel. Middle grade novels allow you more time and space to develop your character and narrative arc. With picture books, you have to make that same emotional connection within very few words.

  What has been the most frustrating aspect or period of time as a children’s writer for you? Any advice for unpublished authors?

  Between 2006-2010 I dealt with a boatload of rejection, both from agents and editors. At some point, I realized I needed to hone my craft so I could tell a story in a compelling way before I could grab someone’s attention.

  Having an agent you trust makes the journey less lonely. I’m grateful to have had first Jill Corcoran, and now Caryn Wiseman as my agent.

  Working with Nancy Paulsen was that crazy, ridiculous dream, I never thought would happen. Three books later I still pinch myself. So dream big y’all.

  My advice is Read, read, read everything you can find. It’s the only way forward.

  Great advice - read & be sure to study your craft. Any projects you are working on (picture book or middle grade) now that you can share a tidbit with us?

  My middle grade novel, Count Me In, comes out in August 2019 with Nancy Paulsen Books. It’s the story of a community that bands together when one of their own is the victim of a hate crime. It’s told from the viewpoints of friends, Karina Chopra and Chris Daniels and I am very excited to share it with the world.

  I do have a couple picture books that I’m working on too. Fingers crossed.

  We'll be looking out for these. Is there anything about writing, illustrating, or publishing you know now that you wished you had known when you started? Or something you’re glad you didn’t know about in advance?

  Publishing is a marathon not a sprint. Make sure you stay hydrated for the long haul.

  Rejections hurt but they are opportunities. Learn from every single one.

  A long haul, indeed! What is your favorite animal? Why?

  I am an unabashed lover of dogs. My dog, Scamper is by my side as I write every word. I wonder if we humans even deserve them.

  Thank you, Varsha for stopping by and sharing with us. It was truly wonderful to meet and chat with you.

  Be sure to stop by Friday for the Perfect Picture Book #PPBF post on The Home Builders.

  To find out more about Varsha Bajaj, or get in touch with her:

  Website: http://www.varshabajaj.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.varshabajaj

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/varshabajaj

• We Need Diverse Books - https://diversebooks.org/blog-qa-with-varsha-bajaj-thirst/

  Q&A With Varsha Bajaj, Thirst
  October 11, 2022 by JoAnn Yao

  thirst blog header
  By Danielle Wilkinson

  Today we’re pleased to welcome Varsha Bajaj to the WNDB blog to discuss middle grade novel Thirst, out since July 19, 2022!

  The riveting story of a heroic girl who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone.

  Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines. Lately, though, even that access is threatened by severe water shortages and thieves who are stealing this precious commodity—an act that Minni accidentally witnesses one night. Meanwhile, in the high-rise building where she just started to work, she discovers that water streams out of every faucet and there’s even a rooftop swimming pool. What Minni also discovers there is one of the water mafia bosses. Now she must decide whether to expose him and risk her job and maybe her life. How did something as simple as access to water get so complicated?

  thirst book cover art
  Can you tell us about what inspired this book and the research process that went into portraying these circumstances and characters as accurately as possible?

  Many decades ago, I worked in a community health center in a neighborhood that was very similar to Minni’s. Water scarcity was an issue then, and it’s possibly worse now. When I learned that 700 million plus people around the world didn’t have access to clean drinking water, I was shocked. I knew that this story needed to be told.

  What was your process for outlining and writing Thirst?

  In January 2020, I returned to Mumbai to visit my father, and to revisit the neighborhoods where I’d worked, and talk to people from all walks of life. I returned with a wealth of stories. I explored the water crisis and the work being done by dedicated organizations like water.org.

  At some point, I forced myself to emerge from the research rabbit hole and started to focus on discovering my characters and their story.

  I brainstormed, scribbling on a yellow legal pad for weeks or it could have been months, until Minni emerged. I outlined using the three-act structure; it works for me. My outlines though, as always, changed and evolved in the process of writing.

  Why did you choose to write this as a middle grade story as opposed to young adult, adult or a children’s book?

  I’ve had the opportunity to interact with thousands of middle schoolers who’d read Count Me In in their classroom, and sometimes across the school. I enjoyed speaking to middle school children. They were delightful, sincere, committed to the words on the page and thoughtful. These kids owned the characters as if they were real. It’s what I did and continue to do as a reader. I knew I had found my audience. Middle grade is my sweet spot.

  Going off of the last question, middle grade has changed a lot in the last few years to incorporate more diverse stories and tackle more complex real-world issues. Do you believe because of the world we live in right now it’s important to educate young readers on these types of issues?

  I think middle schoolers are watching and learning whether we educate them or not. They have access to information that we didn’t when we were their age. I think more than tutor, we need to have conversations, communicate, learn what they are thinking and feeling and process together.

  Minni is very brave, determined, and resilient despite her circumstances. Why was she the perfect protagonist for this story and what do you hope readers learn from her?

  I want them to empathize and care about Minni and her family and struggles. I want readers to keep dreaming and trying even when their own lives get tough. My protagonists’ can-do spirit is inspired by all the real-life Minnis in the world. Some of my readers might even be inspired to help by raising funds for organizations like water.org. and others.

  There were a lot of impactful scenes in Thirst but one of the scenes that was very heartwarming was when Minni hugged her mom for the first time near the end. Can you tell me what it was like writing that scene and how you wanted to portray family in this book?

  Minni’s innocence and happiness at the beginning of the story comes from the love and protection of her family. Her resilience and bravery also come partly from her family. Writing that scene when Minni hugs Ma, felt like a reward for writing all the difficult, heart wrenching scenes I’d written through the story.

  thirst author pull quote

  I believe reading a fictional story about real events has the power to resonate more than reading about real events through articles or history books. Did you write Thirst with the intention that it would be able to be taught in schools and impact young readers?

  I wrote Thirst because I felt compelled to shine a light on water inequity and how it impacts the lives of millions of kids and families. I hoped it would be published and find the right editor and home. Nancy Paulsen books was the perfect home. The School and Library team at Penguin inspire me to work harder. They’re dedicated to getting books into the hands of readers and educators.

  What was the most difficult chapter/scene for you to write? Which chapter/scene was the most enjoyable?

  I love this question. I’m going to try and answer it without revealing spoilers. I cried when I wrote the scene when Minni’s mother imparts life lessons and prepares her for her job.

  The scenes when Minni’s brother teases her and calls her Minni meow made me smile. Also, Minni’s walk to school with Faiza was fun to write.

  Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? Especially in regard to writing about issues close to them?

  Write from your heart, especially during that first draft. Don’t be afraid to show that you care. Be vulnerable on the page, so your characters can be too. And most importantly, read, read, read.

  Who first made you want to write? Who do you get inspiration from?

  Always a voracious reader, I first started writing when my own kids were little. I wrote partly for me, but also partly because I realized that my Indian American kids needed to see themselves in books. Back in the early 2000s there weren’t many diverse books, and I am eternally grateful for the work done by WNDB.

  I get inspiration from my lived experiences and from the world around me. There’s so much I care about, and so little time.

  What are some books/movies/tv shows you’ve been loving lately?

  I’m reading The Last Queen by Chitra Divakaruni. Before that I read Hummingbird by my friend, Natalie Llyod. My TBR pile is high and always growing.

  I binged watched and laughed through Season 3 of Never Have I Ever. Devi Vishwakumar is such a funny and flawed character. Only Murders in the Building season 2 just ended and I’m already waiting for Season 3. The last movie I watched in the theater was a feel-good treat, Mrs. Harris goes to Paris.

  ******

  varsha bajaj headshot photoVarsha Bajaj is the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade novels, Thirst, Count Me In, and Abby Spencer goes to Bollywood, which was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included in the Spirit of Texas Reading program. She also wrote the picture books The Home Builders (a Dolly Parton Imagination library selection) and This is Our Baby, born Today (a Bank Street Best Book). She grew up in Mumbai, India, and when she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books. She lives in Houston, Texas.

• Brazos Bookstore - https://www.brazosbookstore.com/articles/kids-article/picture-books-origin-stories-and-cake-chatting-varsha-bajaj

  Picture Books, Origin Stories, and Cake: Chatting with Varsha Bajaj
  Article by Joy

  I’ve known Varsha Bajaj for about a decade now: first, in that “Hey didn’t I see you at a conference?” way all Houston kid lit authors know each other; next, as a fan of her work; and eventually, as a friend in the writerly trenches and beyond. When things get particularly trench-y, as things often do when you make art for part of your living, she’s part of a group of us that eats copious amounts of cake at Empire Café on Westheimer and solves the problems of the world. (They have grand cake at Empire, by the way. I’m partial to the carrot, but they’re all good. Also, Houston has an amazing cadre of kid lit authors. I’ll be highlighting many of them in the coming months!)

  But I’m particularly excited that I got to interview her about her latest picture book, THIS IS OUR BABY BORN TODAY, which just arrived from the Nancy Paulsen imprint of Penguin Random House. (I still wish they’d named it Random Penguin when they merged, but that’s neither here nor there.) I had the pleasure of watching this book develop from germ of idea to text to book. And it’s illustrated by the very fabulous Eliza Wheeler, who wrote and illustrated the New York Times bestselling MISS MARPLE’S SEEDS and a lot of other fabulous books.

  I adore THIS IS OUR BABY. The story of the birth of an elephant, it’s got that timeless appeal of a classic—lush, rhythmic language and gorgeous illustrations. It makes a glorious bedtime story (as does Bajaj’s debut picture book HOW MANY KISSES DO YOU WANT TONIGHT, which Brazos stocks as a board book), a delightful baby gift and a good read for anyone of any age.

  Here’s what Varsha had to say about how THIS IS OUR BABY came into the world:

  “In 2012 my oldest child was a senior in high school. I was asked to submit five pictures of him between birth and five years for a slide show that the school was putting together. I could have chosen thirty-three pictures rather than five. Sorting through boxes and albums of baby pictures inspired me to write about babies. How beautiful they are, how they change their parent’s world, how they bring new beginnings and love, their perfect fingers, toes and smells.

  After almost a year of writing without finding the heart of my story, one day I revisited the pictures. I was struck by how the child is the mother’s alone in the womb but after the child is born the circle of love grows with the presence of the father, the grandparents, friends and family. I knew then that I had found my story. Then came the task of making sure it was on the page.”

  Picture books hold a special place in Varsha’s heart: “Picture books are the child’s first introduction to books and reading. Picture books hopefully start the lifelong love affair with the written word and the page turn. I remember reading BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin Jr. to my kids years ago. They would anticipate the page turn and call out the next animal. The rhythm of the words helped them memorize and gave them the illusion of ‘reading.’ I would tease them sometimes and say the wrong animal name. Oh the horror! I differentiate picture books from picture story books. Picture books, are the perfect marriage of text and words and the closest to poetry. I love poetry. The best picture books pack the emotional punch of a good poem.”

  Did I mention how much I love this book and all of Varsha’s books? Well all of this is why. Plus she likes that Empire carrot cake, too. And their cookies.

• CBC Diversity - https://cbcdiversity.tumblr.com/post/186563019518/author-interview-with-varsha-bajaj

  Author Interview with Varsha Bajaj
  What inspired you to write Count Me In?

  In 2013 Dr. Singh, a practicing doctor and professor from Columbia University was attacked by a group of young men in upper Manhattan. It was unfortunately not the first such news story I was reading. The story stayed with me. It could have been me, or someone from my family.

  In the following years, the prevalence of hate crimes had risen – and I was alarmed at the escalation in bullying in schools. I felt compelled to write a story that would address this, and help readers process the events going on around us.

  At the time I also saw people coming out and speaking against hate and supporting each other. These positive voices gave me hope.

  Count Me In is therefore an uplifting story, told through the alternating voices of two middle-schoolers, in which a community rallies to reject racism.

  image
  You’ve written both picture books and middle grade – how is the writing process different for each?

  With picture books I have help from a partner, the illustrator. We bring the characters and the story to life together. In my latest picture book, The Home Builders, I didn’t even name The Home Builders, till the babies are born. I didn’t need to. The illustrator, Simona Mulazzani did it for me.

  With middle grade books, it’s my words alone that have to go forth and make the characters breathe and the story feel real.

  Count Me In features a heartwarming intergenerational friendship. Is that something you particularly wanted to include and why?

  I wanted to highlight the difference in perspectives within immigrant families. Papa is the immigrant and his generation’s thoughts and actions are different from Karina, who is born in America. Generations have so much to give each other. Their stories, their experiences and their viewpoints. When I visit schools and interact with children, I grow as a person.

  What do you hope readers will take away from reading Count Me In?

  This book is an open letter to America and the values and ideals it embodies. I remember watching President Obama speak at the DNC in 2004 when he said that “in no other country on earth is my story even possible.” His story, he said, was possible in a “tolerant” and “generous” America.

  I hope readers realize that each one of us can make a difference to make sure that this country continues to live up to its ideals.

  Tell us a little about how the wonderfully diverse cover came to be!

  The cover is magnificent and the work of the talented Eleni Kalorkoti (www.elenikalorkoti.com). Without giving away the story, it looks a whole lot like a project that Karina and Chris undertake.

  All those beautiful faces reflect the diversity of my community, my city, and of America.

  Karina and Chris show us how a few voices can make a difference. What are the things that give you hope about this generation?

  Having both Chris and Karina’s voices tell the story was so important to me because it was yet another way to show different perspectives. The younger generation in most cities and towns in America has only known a diverse student body. They have grown up eating different foods, they have been exposed to different music, and cultures through social media. When I see not only their acceptance of their diverse reality, but their excitement at its richness, it makes me happy. When I see the courage of young people like Malala and others it is inspiring.

  image
  image

  Varsha Bajaj (varshabajaj.com) also wrote the picture books The Home Builders and This Is Our Baby, Born Today (a Bank Street Best Book). She grew up in Mumbai, India, and when she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by her awareness of the culture through books. In addition to her previous picture books, she wrote the middle-grade novel Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood, which was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included on the Spirit of Texas Reading Program. She lives in Houston, Texas.

HOW MANY KISSES DO YOU WANT TONIGHT? VARSHA BAJAJ, ILLUS. BY IVAN BATES. Little, Brown (32p) ISBN 0-316-82381-3

Debut author Bajaj celebrates a bedtime ritual set in the animal world--with each succeeding species asking for one more goodnight kiss than its predecessor. The first stop is a bear's den bathed in golden light. Here, as in the other watercolor spreads, Bates (Just You and Me) places readers in the thick of the action. A cub gleefully snuggles against his supersize ursine father. "'How many kisses do you want tonight?'/Daddy Bear growls, cuddling Little Bear tight./'I want one; laughs Little Bear,/'A big, loud kiss on my soft, brown hair.' "A few habitats later, readers find themselves at the edge of a filmy spider web that's strung between two branches against a starry sky." 'I want eight; he [the spider offspring] says with a giggle,/'One on each leg--I'll try not to wiggle.'" Bates portrays animals as expressive as any human parent and child. But he also balances this anthropomorphism with authentic details of character and environment. In the spider spread, for instance, he articulates the hair on the insects' legs and other distinctive markings; rather than make the web tidy and symmetrical, he renders it as a rough-hewn structure and emphasizes the industry and craftsmanship behind it. The animal portraits are so vibrant that when the book does visit the human world in the final two spreads, the familiarity of the characters is almost a letdown. But that's a minor quibble in a book that deserves a hearty embrace. Ages 3-6. (Apr.)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2004 PWxyz, LLC
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"How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?" Publishers Weekly, vol. 251, no. 14, 5 Apr. 2004, p. 60. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A115227771/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=312e0a63. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha. How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? Illus. by Ivan Bates 2004. 32p. Little, Brown, $15.95 (0-316-82381-3)

PreS-Gr. 1. From bear to butterfly to snake, 10 animal parents--some morns, some dads--ask their little ones the title question: "'How many kisses do you want, young fellow?' Mommy Duck asks, fluffing Little Duck yellow." "'I want TWO,' he says with a quack 'One on my beak and one on my back'" Each response is well matched to the creature; Little Spider, for example, wants eight kisses, one for each leg The game continues until a human Daddy poses the question to his "princess pink" and a Mommy asks it of her "brave knight" "I want a HUNDRED,' says the little girl. 'One on my nose and one on each curl'"; "'I want a MILLION,' [the boy] says with delight, Finishing his book, he says good night" The soft-toned watercolor-and-colored-pencil double-spreads have a snugly feel that reinforces the gentle tone of the text. The kisses, the counting, and the rhymes will have youngsters itching to participate in the action; the last page, which addresses the question right to young listeners, will get things started.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2004 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
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Cummins, Julie. "Bajaj, Varsha. How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?" Booklist, vol. 100, no. 19-20, 1 June 2004, p. 1738. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A118675644/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1f39c966. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

T is for Taj Mahal, An India Alphabet

Varsha Bajaj, author

Robert Crawford, illustrator

Sleeping Bear Press

315 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 200

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

9781585365043, $17.95, www.sleepingbearpress.com

"T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet" is a magnificent, double -delivery color- illustrated alphabet book that can captivate children ages 6-10. Each letter is embedded into a versed description of the related word, illuminated with an arresting one or two page color illustration and amplified by an educational sidebar containing additional historical, cultural, or geographic information. Thus there is ample appeal for both younger and older readers. A good example is "B is for Bollywood," with its colorful choreography illustration and sidebar of four paragraphs about Bollywood, the Hindu language cinema industry based in Mumbai. From "A is for Aryan" to "Z is for zero," "T is for Taj Mahal" is a magnificent alphabetical homage to Indian culture and history. Further related activities can be found at, www.discovertheworldbooks.com, an interactive website for students, teachers, and families. Also a free downloadable Teacher's Guide is available at, www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/TeachersGuides/IndiaAlphabet.pdf.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 Midwest Book Review
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"T is for Taj Mahal, An India Alphabet." Children's Bookwatch, May 2011, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A257127585/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c3ef5394. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood. Albert Whitman, 2014. 256p. $16.99. 978-0-8075-6363-2.

When thirteen-year-old Abby Spencer has a severe allergic reaction to coconut, she finally learns about the father she has never known. Abby's mother explains she and Kabir Kapur were in love in college, but when they graduated, he returned to his home in India. Abby's mother did not want to move, and did not realize until after he had left that she was pregnant. When she wrote to him, he never answered. Googling Kabir Kapur, Abby and her mother suddenly find themselves looking at the top Bollywood box office star of the day, Naveen Kumar. After all these years, Abby's mother manages to contact Kabir, now Naveen, through his production company. He is stunned to learn he has a daughter he never knew about, having never received her letter. Both Naveen and his ailing mother are eager to meet Abby, so she travels to Mumbai. There, she not only meets her father and grandmother, but the also the people closest to them, including her father's co-star and girlfriend, and a cute boy named Shaan. Abby learns more about the world and her place in it in the process.

Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood is a lighthearted exploration of human connections across distance and cultures. While surprisingly problem-free, the characters are endearing and the story is engrossing. Young readers who enjoy light, realistic fiction with a touch of romance will enjoy spending time with Abby.--Kim Carter.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
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Carter, Kim. "Bajaj, Varsha. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood." Voice of Youth Advocates, vol. 36, no. 6, Feb. 2014, p. 54. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A424529633/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=25b33baa. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD Whitman (Children's Fiction) $16.99 3, 1 ISBN: 978-0-8075-6363-2

Thirteen-year-old Abby Spencer learns that the father she's never met is a Bollywood superstar and travels from Houston to Mumbai to meet him. Abby has been stonewalled by her pie-shop-owning single mother when she's asked about her dad, but hereditary concerns about a bad allergic reaction bring the matter to a head. Rather incredibly, Abby's father, Naveen Kumar-a really nice guy who just happens to be the Brad Pitt of India-immediately accepts the situation and invites her to come to Mumbai to meet him and his loving but ailing mother. Besides the establishment of the likable Abby's mostly smooth relationship with Kumar's household and entourage, the rest of the story involves Abby's reaction to India, her nascent romantic relationship with handsome Shaan and her difficulty remaining mum about the fact that she's Kumar's daughter. Unfortunately, nice is great in a girlfriend, but for characters in a novel, spice is necessary, and there's not enough of it in Bajaj's pleasant but bland first-person cross-cultural tale. Nevertheless, readers will want for Abby what she wants for herself-to find her place in her two families-and should be touched and satisfied by the story's ending. Culturally intriguing but dramatically dry, this story showcases the glamour and grit of Mumbai and gives readers an entertaining glimpse of backstage Bollywood. (Fiction. 9-13)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Bajaj, Varsha: ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2014, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A357033012/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b8ad0b44. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

BAJAJ, Varsha. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood. 256p. Albert Whitman. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780807563632.

Gr 5-8--Thirteen-year-old Abby Spencer longs for excitement in her happy but uneventful life as a middle schooler in Houston, Texas. After she has a severe allergic reaction to coconut, Abby finds the excitement for which she has been waiting. Needing details about Abby's inherited medical history, her mother contacts the girl's father for the first time in more than 13 years. Soon after, Abby finds herself traveling to India on a whirlwind trip to meet him--a Bollywood film star--for the first time. If not for the Indian setting, Abby Spencer would be a typical, cute-but-nothing-special story of a young girl meeting her estranged father. Abby is a sweet, relatable character, but it's the lush backdrop that sets this book apart. The narrator describes the beauty and the extreme poverty of Mumbai. She feeds beggars and street dogs and reflects on her own day-to-day luxuries in comparison. She learns some Hindi words and phrases, tastes Indian foods, and spends a day on a Bollywood film set. A light, clean romance adds a second plot thread, but this story is mainly about the teen's exploration of her Indian heritage and the relationships between Abby and her parents. Pair with Narinder Dhami's Bollywood Babes (Random, 2006) or Kashmira Sheth's Boys Without Names (HarperCollins, 2010).--Leigh Collazo, Ed Willkie Middle School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Collazo, Leigh. "Bajaj, Varsha. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood." School Library Journal, vol. 60, no. 4, Apr. 2014, p. 139. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A363686620/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ec2cb3e6. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha THIS IS OUR BABY, BORN TODAY Nancy Paulsen Books (Children's Picture Books) $16.99 8, 2 ISBN: 978-0-399-16684-6

When a baby elephant is born, "wrinkled and gray," not just the herd, but the whole world rejoices, from morning to night. From the proud Mama to the grand Aunts, from the "fertile and firm" Earth to the ancient Banyan tree, everyone and everything around the new baby elephant joins in celebration and care for the Baby "who warms the hearts of the world today." Glowing with warm golds and greens and shadowed with deep blues and greens, the gorgeous artwork lushly illuminates the day of an elephant's birth as it is cared for by its family and surroundings. The expressions on the elephant faces are sheer joy to behold; the elephant smiles are realistic and yet radiate affection. Seemingly simple, this gentle rhyming story works on two levels: the playfulness of the young elephant and its friends ensure that young children will be able to see themselves in the story, and given the depiction of the natural scenes, at least some young readers will become fascinated with the lives of elephants as well. An author's note at the end provides background from the Indian-American author's own life and also draws attention to the present-day need to protect elephants from poaching and the loss of habitat. The soft cadence of the rhyming verses and the joyous pictures of the elephants will make this a bedtime favorite. (Picture book. 2-5)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Bajaj, Varsha: THIS IS OUR BABY, BORN TODAY." Kirkus Reviews, 1 June 2016, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A454176929/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3da615b0. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

This Is Our Baby, Born Today

Varsha Bajaj, author

Eliza Wheeler, illustrator

Nancy Paulsen Books

c/o Penguin Young Readers Group

345 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

9780399166846, $16.99, 32pp, www.penguin.com/youngreaders

"This is Our Baby, Born Today" is a gentle celebration of the birth of a beautiful baby Indian elephant, born in lush wild forest scenes such as those near Mumbai, India, where the author once lived. An award-winning author/illustrator team combines their fertile talents to create the lovely paean/lullaby that is "This is Our Baby, Born Today." Poetic narrative and sensitive scenes in shades of gold, gray and green create the world of the new baby elephant, greeted and celebrated by Mother, Aunts, Sisters, Cousins, the Herd, the Lagoon, the Banyan tree, the Neighbors (monkeys), Friends (peacocks), Earth, Stars, the Moon, and all creation. Amidst the glory of nature and creation, all are reminded what a precious life is given in one new Baby elephant. "This is the Baby, wrinkled and gray, who warms the hearts of the world today." "This is Our Baby, Born Today" also reminds human children of the need to protect and defend endangered baby elephants born to today's dwindling herd population. Perfect as a bedtime story for small child ages 3-5, "This is Our Baby, Born Today" is a toast to future generations with a deep nod and bow to the past.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Midwest Book Review
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"This Is Our Baby, Born Today." Children's Bookwatch, Sept. 2016, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A465696850/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6524e258. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

BAJAJ, Varsha. The Home Builders. illus. by Simona Mulazzani. 32p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Feb. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780399166853.

PreS-Gr 1--While Bajaj's This Is Our Baby, Born Today followed the birth of one elephant, this new offering explores how an array of woodland animals build safe habitats for their babies. Owls, tortoises, ants, foxes, bees, and many other critters make their homes in trees, grass, on ridges, in the water, and underground. Mulazzani uses acrylic colored pencils and collage on paper to create expansive illustrations with pink sky tones, giving readers a sense of calm. Soft dark blue night skies, sparkling with stars, and sleeping animals complete this vision of serenity. The illustrations suggest, rather than attempt a factual representation. A honeycomb-shaped intersection of a beehive appears to be floating in mid-air, but careful inspection will lead to discovery of an attached beehive under a bridge earlier in the book. While sometimes the text and pictures do not entirely connect, the overall impression is that of poetic narrative, interpreted artistically by the illustrator. Simple elegant rhyming words lead readers to learn the names for each animal baby, but not the adult counterpart, suggesting that this picture book is not meant to instruct but rather encourage little ones to immerse themselves in the lush experience. By using the pictures to fill in the missing details, adults and children can explore and interact, creating a conversation prompted each discovery. VERDICT A recommended purchase for large collections seeking gentle nighttime reads about animals, babies, and habitats.--Evd Thaler-Sroussi, Needham Free Public Library, MA

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Thaler-Sroussi, Eva. "BAJAJ, Varsha. The Home Builders." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 1, Feb. 2019, p. 47. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A571039814/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ede123cc. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

The Home Builders By Varsha Bajaj; illus. by Simona Mulazzani Preschool Paulsen/Penguin 32 pp. g 2/19 978-0-399-16685-3 $17.99

This picture book invites children to observe nature for themselves as a variety of creatures busily create their homes: "Do you see the home builders?" The builders work "under the earth, / Below the bridge, / In the tall grass, / High on the ridge," and the pictures show a mole digging underground, a beehive full of buzzing bees attached to the underside of a bridge, deer sheltering in the hollow of a hill, and an eagle in flight. "Do you see the builders work?" the book continues, going on to detail how, for example, the beaver gnaws wood and the mole digs underneath a row of root vegetables. Bajaj s text is simple, specific, and active, reflecting the hard work of each type of creature to stay alive. The book concludes with the animals each in their own homes with their babies. Mulazzani's mixed-media illustrations use soft colors and have a generally cozy feel, yet their clarity and precision allow viewers to spot even the smallest insects on the pages. Children can follow their favorite animal throughout and may come away with the (possibly) new idea that the animals they see outside must work to provide homes for their families, too. SUSAN DOVE LEMPKE

g indicates that the book was read !n galley or page proof. The publisher's price is the suggested retail price and does not indicate a possible discount to libraries. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real criterion.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Lempke, Susan Dove. "The Home Builders." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 95, no. 2, Mar.-Apr. 2019, pp. 55+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587973631/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=27391b2d. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha THE HOME BUILDERS Nancy Paulsen Books (Children's Fiction) $17.99 2, 12 ISBN: 978-0-399-16685-3

What will young readers encounter in the peaceful landscape of this picture book?

Lush, full-bleed double-page spreads in a predominantly blue, green, and brown palette, executed in a soft mix of media that includes acrylics, colored pencils, and collage, accompany simple poetic text with an abcb rhyme scheme. The words are quiet, meant to convey safety and security. Many of the titular "home builders" appear in the first spread: Tortoises inch along a path, red foxes peek out from hiding, a deer grazes in the background, beavers cavort in the water, a great horned owl snoozes in a tree. The rest--moles, honeybees, and eagles--arrive after the page turn. Bajaj structures her book with questions. "Do you see the homes?" The answer is simple: "Beds in leaf piles, / Dens snug and warm, // Lodges on ponds, / Shelter from storms. // Burrows with rooms, / Beehives and nests, / Each of these homes / Soon will be blessed." (Some may wonder at the word "blessed," but it seems to owe its use more to the rhyme scheme than underlying religiosity.) Babies arrive and, satisfyingly, learn to "work and play." Throughout, Mulazzani prioritizes intimacy over accurate scale or reproduction of animal architecture, offering lovely but sometimes confusing compositions.

Whether children are listening in a group or as individuals at home, they will enjoy this book, but the science learning is limited. (Picture book. 3-6)

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"Bajaj, Varsha: THE HOME BUILDERS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2018, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A563598601/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f2e76b48. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

BAJAJ, Varsha. Count Me In. 192p. Penguin/ Nancy Paulsen Bks. Aug. 2019. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780525517245.

Gr 4-8--Even though seventh graders Karina and Chris are next-door neighbors, they've never shared a class and don't really know each other. Karina, whose family is Indian, even remembers a few times when Chris, whose ethnicity isn't specified, sat idly by as his racist friends bullied her. But things begin to change when Karina's grandfather Papa, bored after moving in with Karina's family, takes up math tutoring--and Chris is his first student. Karina and Chris become unlikely friends and smooth over past differences. When the kids are walking outside one day with Papa, a white man who decides Papa is a terrorist pulls over and begins slinging hateful speech at the trio, culminating in a physical attack that sends Papa to the hospital. Karina and Chris draw on their friendship, their families, and the unexpectedly unifying power of social media for strength against fear and hatred. Fast-paced first-person narration alternates between Karina and Chris. This accessible read tackles weighty issues like racism and hatred, while the warmth of the growing friendship among Karina, Chris, and Papa carries readers through the book's stressful conflicts to its satisfying conclusion. VERDICT A solid recommendation for fans of books like Hena Khan's A minas Voice and Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks's Save Me a Seat.--Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

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Cruz, Darla Salva. "BAJAJ, Varsha. Count Me In." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 7, Aug. 2019, p. 66. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A596317723/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c3b8f386. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha COUNT ME IN Nancy Paulsen Books (Children's Fiction) $16.99 8, 27 ISBN: 978-0-525-51724-5

Seventh graders Karina Chopra and Chris Daniels live in Houston, Texas, and although they are next-door neighbors, they have different interests and their paths rarely cross.

In fact, Karina, whose family is Indian, doesn't want to be friends with Chris, whose family is white, because the boys he hangs out with are mean to her. Things change when Karina's immigrant paternal grandfather, Papa, moves in with Karina's family. Papa begins tutoring Chris in math, and, as a result, Chris and Karina begin spending time with each other. Karina even comes to realize that Chris is not at all like the rest of his friends and that she should give him a second chance. One day, when Karina, Papa, and Chris are walking home from school, something terrible happens: They are assaulted by a stranger who calls Papa a Muslim terrorist, and he is badly injured. The children find themselves wanting to speak out for Papa and for other first-generation Americans like him. Narrated by Karina and Chris in alternate chapters, Bajaj's novel gives readers varied and valuable perspectives of what it means to be first- and third-generation Indian Americans in an increasingly diverse nation. Unfortunately, however, Bajaj's characters are quite bland, and the present-tense narrative voices of the preteen protagonists lack both distinction and authenticity.

The novel's dryness is mitigated in part by its exploration of immigrant identity, xenophobia, and hate crimes. (Fiction. 10-13)

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"Bajaj, Varsha: COUNT ME IN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2019, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A588726812/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4331096a. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Count Me In.

By Varsha Bajaj.

Aug. 2019.192p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen, $16.99 (9780525517245). Gr. 5-8.

Karina has avoided her neighbor Chris ever since she noticed the company he kept resembled a pack of cackling hyenas. But when her grandfather moves from California to her Houston home and begins tutoring Chris, she learns that he's not at all like his cruel counterparts. Then, as the three are walking to their car, a stranger assaults them in a racially motivated attack--Karina and her grandfather are Indian American. When her grandfather is badly injured, Karina uses her keen eye to share images of the attack on her social media, amplifying her voice for a good cause. Bajaj--who has written a number of children's books and another middle-grade novel--develops compassionate, relatable characters. The story celebrates resilience, the power of community, and even the benefits of social media during a time when hate crimes against the Indian diaspora are on the rise. The alternating chapters between Karina and Chris show that Americans come in all colors. Karinas message, that we are stronger together, will easily resonate with readers.--Mahjabeen Syed

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 American Library Association
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Syed, Mahjabeen. "Count Me In." Booklist, vol. 115, no. 21, 1 July 2019, pp. 68+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A595705192/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1dd535cb. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

* BAJAJ, Varsha. Thirst. 192p. Penguin/ Nancy Paulsen. Jul. 2022. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780593354391.

Gr 3-6--Twelve-year-old Minni and her older brother Sanjay might live in a poor neighborhood in India, but they have big dreams: to finish school, get good jobs, and maybe live in one of the tall buildings where water runs from the taps. One night, Sanjay and his friend witness the "water mafia" stealing water from the community tap in a tanker truck, and Minni's world changes overnight. Sanjay and his friend must leave town for their own safety. Minni's mother, recently ill, leaves to recover in the countryside. Minni must take over her mother's maid work and household duties until she can return, while balancing school and a new computer coding class at the community center. Despite the title, the story largely focuses on Minni's internal thirst--for her family to be reunited, for knowledge, for opportunity, for fair treatment--rather than the water thieves. This part of the story is the strongest. Minni is a likable narrator, and readers will connect with her dreams and courage in the face of unfair treatment. The book also serves as a window into class difference. For example, Minni's job includes cleaning the bathroom for a girl her age and discovering that the room is bigger than her family's entire apartment. The water thieves plot is resolved too easily, but that doesn't diminish the impact of the book's message. One death occurs off-page, and Minni fears it is related to the water mafia, but details are never fully revealed. VERDICT A meditative first purchase for middle grade collections. --Lindsay Loup

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Loup, Lindsay. "BAJAJ, Varsha. Thirst." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 8, Aug. 2022, p. 85. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A711673811/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cd52e0ba. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Thirst

by Varsha Bajaj

Middle School Paulsen/Penguin 192 pp. g

7/22 978-0-593-35439-1 $17.99

Growing up in the slums around Mumbai, India, seventh grader Minni has been raised to follow the rules and stay out of trouble, but she can't keep quiet when she spots injustice. She dreams of going to college but keeps bumping up against the realities of poverty that make that nearly impossible. The narrative focus is on Mumbai's unstable, often non-potable water supply and the lack of indoor plumbing in Minni's neighborhood. When her brother spies the "water mafia" siphoning water illegally, he is sent away for his safety, while their mother goes to the country to recover from a serious illness. This leaves Minni to obtain water and boil it, take on her mother's job as a maid, and struggle to attend school full time. Her own sleuthing leads to a shocking conclusion about corruption and Mumbai's water resources. Bajaj's suspenseful novel peels back the curtain on modern-day class and caste inequities and how they create a cycle of poverty that spirals through generations. Minni's thirst for what's right steers the novel toward an optimistic conclusion in which one person can bring about big changes. JULIE HAKIM AZZAM

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Azzam, Julie Hakim. "Thirst." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 98, no. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2022, p. 79. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A727777314/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f3fd6fb4. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Bajaj, Varsha A GARLAND OF HENNA Nancy Paulsen Books (Children's None) $18.99 6, 11 ISBN: 9780593325117

A young South Asian girl is enthralled by her mother's henna designs.

Nikita watches in awe as Mom draws on the child's hands--will she ever be able to create such delicate patterns? Her mother and grandmother remind her that she comes from a long line of henna artists and she, too, will learn. Nikita uses scrap paper to practice designs from her grandmother's notebook, filled with patterns. One day her grandmother hands her a cone filled with mehndi, but in her eagerness, Nikita squeezes too hard, and the paste creates an ugly smudge. Upset and frustrated, she withdraws, watching her mother and grandmother from afar. One day, when her mother goes to a wedding to apply bridal henna, Nikita tags along. Amid the festive atmosphere, she watches closely as her mother creates intricate patterns on the bride's hand. Ready to try again the next day, with gentle strokes, Nikita creates a small pattern on her grandmother's hand. Bajaj sensitively explores the frustration children encounter when trying new tasks. With gentle coaxing from her family, Nikita learns to trust herself and take pride in her henna art. Dynamic illustrations filled with traditional floral designs of creeping vines, blossoming flowers, and paisleys trail across the pages. The hues of henna--which is dark green when first applied and dries to a warm red--are reflected in the earthy colors throughout the story.

A warm and tender tale of family traditions. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

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"Bajaj, Varsha: A GARLAND OF HENNA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A793536984/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=932c7b13. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

Late last year, American toy company Mattel Inc launched Kavi Sharma, an Indian doll, as its 2023 Girl of the Year under its brand American Girl, a premium brand for girls. Kavi joins the company's long line of contemporary characters, introduced more than 20 years ago, that represent a wide range of backgrounds to reflect what it means to be an American girl today. Whether it's singing show tunes or learning new dance moves, Kavi loves performing, is how American Girl described the character of Kavi. "And, growing up with her close-knit Indian American family in New Jersey, she's only a short train ride from her two favourite places in the world: New York City and Broadway! While Kavi shines onstage, keeping up with her offstage priorities like schoolwork, friendships, and family responsibilities can be a challenge-just like it is for so many kids today."Kavi's character is an 18-inch doll with brown eyes, medium skin tone, and layered dark-brown hair styled in a half ponytail. The product collection is filled with outfits and accessories that reflect her passion for performing including a mini keyboard that plays six different tones; a vanity with working lights that plays five songs and a vibrant Bollywood dance costume."I was given both creative freedom and editorial input during the writing of the book. Very early in the creative process we determined that Kavi would be passionate about performing, music, and dance," bestselling Indian American writer Varsha Bajaj, who worked with American Girl, and was part of the team that did the demographic research behind creating the story of Kavi, told the Times of India. Kavi's story is shared in both an illustrated paperback journal that comes with the doll and a hardcover novel, It's Showtime, Kavi, debuting this year. Her joie de vivre, her love of family and zest for life appeals to all readers and Kavi's story is not restricted only to young Indian American or South Asian girls, feels Bajaj."I grew up reading Enid Blyton series, L.M. Montgomery, Nancy Drew (Carolyn Keene) and Hardy Boys (Franklin Dixon). They were the books accessible to me. I connected with those books because the characters were three dimensional, and the plots were kid friendly even while my life was not reflected in those stories. That holds today. Memorable characters that change and grow appeal to all readers. Books are windows and mirrors. Kavi's story will provide a mirror for some and a window into a new world for others," she said. Showcasing slivers of Indian culture, including dance, yoga traditions, food, clothing, and festivals like Diwali and Holi, was also important in creating Kavi.Bajaj who grew up in Mumbai, and went to the United States for her master's degree, is a writer of picture books, middle grade fiction and short stories for children of all ages. "Children between 9 and 14 are coming of age, forming their identities, and discovering a world view that is independent of their parents. I was a therapist and counsellor before I became a writer and I find that stage of life and growth fascinating," she said. Her American dream was shaped in a big way during her years as a student. "I came to America as a graduate student in the fall of 1986. The diversity of the international student body was exhilarating. My roommates were American women and my world expanded in infinite ways. I'm thankful for those immersive years," she said.And while her Indian immigrant experience is the lens through which she sees the world and the foundation of her identity; Bajaj feels that all of her work speaks to not just Indian American readers but to all readers. "Seeing parts of one's life represented on the page is a powerful experience and makes a reader feel seen. I visit schools and it is heartening to see the responses of South Asian kids," she says.Bajaj, who lives in Houston, Texas, feels a strong and eternal connection with India. "I visited often because my parents lived in India till, they passed. I have friends and family in India," she said.

For Reprint Rights: timescontent.com

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"Story of South Asian doll Kavi Sharma not restricted to Indian American girls, says writer Varsha Bajaj." Times of India, 27 Feb. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A738707702/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3b07abcd. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

American Girl announced its "Girl of the Year" for 2023 on Thursday, revealing that a South Asian character was being given the title for the first time ever.

Kavika Sharma, or "Kavi," a character from Metuchen, New Jersey who loves Broadway, performing, dancing and singing, was given the title. The doll, which costs $115.00, practices Hinduism with her family.

"As we ring in a new year, we're excited to have Kavi Sharma take center stage in our popular Girl of the Year lineup," Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl said in a press release. "Just like all our beloved characters, Kavi's culturally relevant and aspirational stories help inspire kids to shine bright in their own way and be proud of who they are."

Varsha Bajaj, a New York Times bestselling author, and the author of an American Girl book that depicts Kavi's life, says that she incorporated dance, yoga traditions, food, clothing, and magical festivals like Diwali and Holi into Kavi's story.

"Kavi's story is important to all the young readers who will see parts of their lives represented. I took immense delight in showcasing slivers of Indian culture," Bajaj explained in the release.

"I think South Asian girls and women of all ages will feel seen, included, and represented," Bajaj said in a statement.

"Little girls will embrace her with joy, while older women may see her as a gift to their younger selves. I hope that all kids will embrace Kavi as a friend and love her story," Bajaj added.

American Girl has been a beloved brand since 1986 with a line of dolls that are meant to be inspiring for children of all ages through a love of American history and commitment to high-quality educational products, according to the company website.

The lineup of dolls has since expanded to include a diverse collection of characters with different historical and contemporary stories and backgrounds, as well as lines known as "Truly Me," "Wellie Wishers" and "Bitty Babies."

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Newsweek Media Group
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"American Girl Dolls 'Girl of The Year' Awarded To South Asian Character Kavi." International Business Times [U.S. ed.], 31 Dec. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A731765855/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bf2da6ce. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

"How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?" Publishers Weekly, vol. 251, no. 14, 5 Apr. 2004, p. 60. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A115227771/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=312e0a63. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Cummins, Julie. "Bajaj, Varsha. How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?" Booklist, vol. 100, no. 19-20, 1 June 2004, p. 1738. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A118675644/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1f39c966. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "T is for Taj Mahal, An India Alphabet." Children's Bookwatch, May 2011, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A257127585/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c3ef5394. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Carter, Kim. "Bajaj, Varsha. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood." Voice of Youth Advocates, vol. 36, no. 6, Feb. 2014, p. 54. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A424529633/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=25b33baa. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "Bajaj, Varsha: ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2014, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A357033012/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b8ad0b44. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Collazo, Leigh. "Bajaj, Varsha. Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood." School Library Journal, vol. 60, no. 4, Apr. 2014, p. 139. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A363686620/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ec2cb3e6. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "Bajaj, Varsha: THIS IS OUR BABY, BORN TODAY." Kirkus Reviews, 1 June 2016, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A454176929/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3da615b0. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "This Is Our Baby, Born Today." Children's Bookwatch, Sept. 2016, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A465696850/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6524e258. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Thaler-Sroussi, Eva. "BAJAJ, Varsha. The Home Builders." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 1, Feb. 2019, p. 47. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A571039814/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ede123cc. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Lempke, Susan Dove. "The Home Builders." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 95, no. 2, Mar.-Apr. 2019, pp. 55+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587973631/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=27391b2d. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "Bajaj, Varsha: THE HOME BUILDERS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2018, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A563598601/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f2e76b48. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Cruz, Darla Salva. "BAJAJ, Varsha. Count Me In." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 7, Aug. 2019, p. 66. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A596317723/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c3b8f386. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "Bajaj, Varsha: COUNT ME IN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2019, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A588726812/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4331096a. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Syed, Mahjabeen. "Count Me In." Booklist, vol. 115, no. 21, 1 July 2019, pp. 68+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A595705192/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1dd535cb. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Loup, Lindsay. "BAJAJ, Varsha. Thirst." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 8, Aug. 2022, p. 85. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A711673811/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cd52e0ba. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. Azzam, Julie Hakim. "Thirst." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 98, no. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2022, p. 79. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A727777314/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f3fd6fb4. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "Bajaj, Varsha: A GARLAND OF HENNA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A793536984/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=932c7b13. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "Story of South Asian doll Kavi Sharma not restricted to Indian American girls, says writer Varsha Bajaj." Times of India, 27 Feb. 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A738707702/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3b07abcd. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024. "American Girl Dolls 'Girl of The Year' Awarded To South Asian Character Kavi." International Business Times [U.S. ed.], 31 Dec. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A731765855/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bf2da6ce. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.

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