This Is Who I Am

What does it mean to belong to two cultures? One little girl explores how she has come to be who she is. She traverses her rich heritage, beginning before she was even born, with her ancestors, and moving on to her parents, who bravely moved to a new country, and all the people who helped along the way—and even the people who didn't. Our narrator continues with her own memories and experiences, from visiting her family in Asia, to enjoying the beach and the rain both at home and abroad, and to every teacher and every book that has opened her eyes. And she feels proud to be who she is.

Rashmi Sirdeshpande is an award‑winning children’s author who loves taking big ideas and making them accessible for children. She writes a mix of picture books, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Ruchi Mhasane studied at the Cambridge School of Art, UK. She works mostly in pencil and watercolor and enjoys capturing expressive gestures and movements, especially those of little children.

A heartening picture book about finding a sense of belonging….As affirmations evolve, a multigenerational story unfolds…Sensorial details—“shiny silks, soft cottons,” “the crack of a coconut”—richly illuminate the speaker’s experiences, while closing passages present the protagonist as gaining confidence…
—Publishers Weekly

Positivity radiates from every page in this read as a little girl goes about her life in the U.S., and a few pages later, in Asia. She's smiling and energetic to show how comfortable it is to slide into both cultures seamlessly...and yet, it also makes it clear how different both sides can be. It's an enjoyable read without any sense of preachiness and simply lets a young girl enjoy all aspects of her vibrant life. And this leaves a smile on the face.
—Bookworm for Kids

This Is Who I Am by Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a gentle, lyrical celebration of identity — the kind that feels like a warm hand on your shoulder reminding you that every part of your story matters. [It] is more than a picture book. It’s a celebration of selfhood, a reminder of the beauty in our roots, and a powerful affirmation for children navigating who they are becoming. A true Momma Braga–approved masterpiece of heart, heritage, and hope.
—Momma Braga

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—Children's Book Council