A stunning picture book that celebrates the power of movement in storytelling and is perfect for fans of Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud and Bunheads by Misty Copeland!While living in India, Neela danced Kathak--a form of classical Indian dance that uses movement to tell stories--but now that her family has moved, she dances ballet like the other kids in her school. She loves ballet and her new friends, but she missed the feeling of being strong and graceful all at once, the stories that Kathak dances hold, and of course the
jingle, jingle that her anklets make as she moves across the stage.
Neela decides to take a chance and sign up to do a Kathak routine at the annual showcase, but it's been a while since she's danced in this style, and she worries that the other kids won't like it. When Amma reminds Neela to stay true to herself, Neela lets the music of the bells guide her.
On sale: March 17, 2026
Age: 3-7 years
Grade: Preschool - 2
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9780593624371
Reading level: Lexile: 630L | Fountas/Pinnell: M
Anitha Rao-Robinson is an author, conservationist, and creator of the
Kindness Is Everything podcast. A former accountant, Anitha now devotes her time to writing stories and helping animals. She also wrote the picture book
A Family for Faru, inspired by her daughter’s time volunteering at a rhino orphanage in South Africa. Anitha lives on a hobby farm in Milton, Ontario, with her family, both human and nonhuman alike. You can visit Anitha Rao-Robinson at AnithaRobinson.com or follow her on Instagram @AnithaRobinson4.
Chaaya Prabhat is an illustrator and lettering artist from Chennai, India, currently working out of Goa. She has illustrated numerous picture books, including
The Best Diwali Ever and
Anni Dreams of Biryani.
Praise for Music of the Bells:“Rao-Robinson’s affirming, sensory-rich text flows evocatively, while Prabhat’s vibrant illustrations make vivid use of shadow and gesture to capture the energy of the dance and create joyous movement.”—
Kirkus Reviews"This culturally anchored picture book from Rao-Robinson and Prabhat... weaves textile-like patterns throughout scenes that spotlight arrayed poses, vibrant digital illustrations evoke memory and movement."
—Publisher's Weekly“There’s a valuable lesson here about being able to appreciate something new without completely abandoning the old… Neela’s story tenderly honors dance as both a part of a unique cultural context and something that can be universally enjoyed by anyone.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“The text strikes a thoughtful balance: hopeful as Neela imagines blending two worlds yet gently acknowledging the ache of displacement and the longing for what she’s left behind…. Soft, graceful illustrations in muted pinks, purples, and tans convey movement and emotion with ease… A warm, culturally rich story of identity and belonging. Highly recommended for picture book collections.”—
School Library Journal
