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Always Anjali

Illustrated by Jessica Blank
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
8.38"W x 10.25"H x 0.36"D   | 12 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Apr 25, 2023 | 40 Pages | 978-0-593-64883-4
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD550L | Fountas & Pinnell M
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Meet Anjali! She's the spunky star of this picture book with a timeless message about appreciating what makes us special and honoring our different identities.

Anjali and her friends are excited to buy matching personalized license plates for their bikes--but Anjali can't find a plate with her name. She is often teased about her "different" name, and this is the last straw. Anjali is so upset that she demands her parents let her pick a new name! When they refuse, Anjali decides to take a closer look at who she is--beyond her name--and why being different means being marvelous

Actress and activist Sheetal Sheth has penned a deeply personal picture book about the experience of feeling othered and the journey toward embracing yourself.
"The book’s message is laudable, and the protagonist is delightfully sparkly ... It’s an affirming read that will resonate with many readers." —Kirkus Reviews
© David Goddard
Sheetal Sheth is an acclaimed actress, producer, author, and activist. She has starred in more than feature films and TV shows. Sheetal supports marginalized communities through her work as an actor and by appearing at workshops and panels to speak directly to issues facing those communities. She is an outspoken advocate, and has delivered talks and keynotes at festivals and charity galas. She has had op-eds published on CNN, the Daily Beast, and Thrive Global. She served in President Clinton's AmeriCorps and is currently on the advisory board of Equality Now and an ambassador for the Representation Project, founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the First Partner of California. Sheetal is also the author of Always Anjali and Making Happy. View titles by Sheetal Sheth
Jessica Blank features strong connections to family and nature in her work. She crafts images that move between traditional drawing practices and digital painting. She graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in illustration and received her MFA in graphic design from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Jessica lives in the East Texas Piney Woods with her family. View titles by Jessica Blank
Classroom Activities for Always Anjali

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Photos

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About

Meet Anjali! She's the spunky star of this picture book with a timeless message about appreciating what makes us special and honoring our different identities.

Anjali and her friends are excited to buy matching personalized license plates for their bikes--but Anjali can't find a plate with her name. She is often teased about her "different" name, and this is the last straw. Anjali is so upset that she demands her parents let her pick a new name! When they refuse, Anjali decides to take a closer look at who she is--beyond her name--and why being different means being marvelous

Actress and activist Sheetal Sheth has penned a deeply personal picture book about the experience of feeling othered and the journey toward embracing yourself.

Praise

"The book’s message is laudable, and the protagonist is delightfully sparkly ... It’s an affirming read that will resonate with many readers." —Kirkus Reviews

Author

© David Goddard
Sheetal Sheth is an acclaimed actress, producer, author, and activist. She has starred in more than feature films and TV shows. Sheetal supports marginalized communities through her work as an actor and by appearing at workshops and panels to speak directly to issues facing those communities. She is an outspoken advocate, and has delivered talks and keynotes at festivals and charity galas. She has had op-eds published on CNN, the Daily Beast, and Thrive Global. She served in President Clinton's AmeriCorps and is currently on the advisory board of Equality Now and an ambassador for the Representation Project, founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the First Partner of California. Sheetal is also the author of Always Anjali and Making Happy. View titles by Sheetal Sheth
Jessica Blank features strong connections to family and nature in her work. She crafts images that move between traditional drawing practices and digital painting. She graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in illustration and received her MFA in graphic design from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Jessica lives in the East Texas Piney Woods with her family. View titles by Jessica Blank

Additional Materials

Classroom Activities for Always Anjali

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

AANHPI Month – Represent Asian Stories

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This May, celebrate the many cultures and stories within the AANHPI community with books by authors of Asian, East Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and cultures. Discover more books by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander authors and share these incredible

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Always Anjali

Meet Anjali! She’s the spunky star of this picture book with a timeless message about appreciating what makes us special and honoring our different identities. Anjali and her friends are excited to buy matching personalized license plates for their bikes–but Anjali can’t find a plate with her name. She is often teased about her “different”

Read more