Sona’s sister is getting married and her know-it-all cousin Vishal has come with her grandparents from India to attend. He can’t believe how little Sona knows about Hindu weddings, including the fact that it’s Sona’s responsibility as a younger sibling of the bride to steal the groom’s shoes during the ceremony and then bargain with him for their return. Nervous but determined, Sona comes up with a plan to do so, and she’s even willing to involve Vishal in carrying it out. An engaging story draws readers right into Sona’s experience as she describes being part of traditions that are new to her yet steeped in family and culture. And when the time comes, there’s just the right amount of tension leading to great delight as Sona successfully steals the shoes and bargains for the perfect exchange. An author’s note provides additional information about Hindu weddings, including the fact that the details may vary widely from family to family and place to place. (Ages 4–8)

Experience the magic of an Indian wedding in this story of a girl playing a fun, traditional game on her sister's wedding day.

Sona's big sister is getting married and she's been given an important job to do. She has to steal the groom's shoes. She's never attended a wedding before, so she's unfamiliar with this Indian tradition―as well as many of the other magical experiences that will occur before and during the special event. But with the assistance of her annoying cousin Vishal, Sona finds a way to steal the shoes and get a very special reward.

With amusing text and gorgeous, vibrant watercolors, author Kashmira Sheth and illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi present a heartwarming story ripe with themes of family, ritual, and tradition.