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ZAIN BANDALI is an unapologetic Ismaili Muslim queer artist of Indo-Tanzanian heritage living in Ontario, Canada. He writes on themes related to mysticism, queerness, diasporas, and where they interact. His poetry has been published in multiple journals and his spoken word has graced stages across the province. He is an avid vegetable gardener but cannot always stomach the chilli peppers he grows. JANI BALAKUMAR is a Tamil-Canadian illustrator and 2D animator that resides in Toronto, Canada. She has a bachelor's in animation from Sheridan College where she honed her craft. Her works often have a bold palette and mixed textural elements to make the work pop off the page.
“A triumph . . . navigates topics such as socially constructed gender roles and the evolution of culture and tradition, while also showcasing a beautiful form of art and a joyful childhood experience.” —Danny Ramadan, author of Salma the Syrian Chef and Salma Makes a Home “Tehzeeb’s passion for art shines through in this well-crafted, sensitively rendered chapter book as the boy explores his anxieties about bucking traditional gender roles and his doubts about articulating his feelings to those he loves.” —Kirkus Reviews, 08/12/23 “A delightful story about finding inspiration in unexpected places, the virtue of practice, and the beauty in so-called imperfection. Tez's tenacity is admirable and, ultimately, transformative. The world needs more ‘mehndi boys’!”—Vivek Shraya, author of The Boy & the Bindi and God Loves Hair “[A] fast-paced chapter book, replete with vibrant illustrations . . . This would be a lovely read-aloud, taking readers on an emotional journey along with Tehzeeb.” —Booklist, 09/28/23 “Bandali gently and compassionately offers readers a chance to see how to be true to yourself as they follow Tez on his journey.” —The Globe and Mail, 09/28/23
