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Laxmi's Mooch
- Narrated by: Deepti Gupta
- Length: 8 mins
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Publisher's Summary
A joyful, body-positive book, adapted for audio, about a young Indian-American girl's journey to accept her body hair and celebrate her heritage after being teased about her mustache.
Laxmi never paid much attention to the tiny hairs above her lip. But one day while playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. She starts to notice body hair all over - on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows.
With her parents' help, Laxmi learns that hair isn't just for heads, but that it grows everywhere, regardless of gender. Laxmi's Mooch is a celebration of our bodies and our body hair, in whichever way they grow.
Critic Reviews
A New York Public Library Spring 2021 staff pick!
A Charlotte Huck Honor Book
A 2022 ALSC Notable Children's Book!
“Debut author Anand skillfully balances humor with sincerity, crafting a narrator who is both vulnerable and powerful, while Abi contributes sunny-humored illustrations.... Laxmi’s journey is both accessible and authentic, and it is a true pleasure to watch her not only embrace her own body, but also teach her classmates how to embrace theirs as well.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
"A joyfully affirmative picture book with a winning first-person point of view." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
"Anand's story is simple and purposeful, but it's a much-needed purpose, sweetly delivering a message of body positivity around a common insecurity that is rarely addressed." (Booklist, starred review)