BELA AND LILY

A heartwarming picture book about two young girls who don't speak the same language and still become fast friends

The girl in the twirly tutu sits next to me on the swings. Her words race like rickshaws on the dusty streets of Dhaka. Where I am from, words are different. Bela, who has recently arrived in the United States from Bangladesh, meets Lily on the swings. But how do you make a friend when you don't speak the same language? Based on Natasha's own experience as a five-year-old immigrant making her first friend Bela and Lily is about how two kindred spirits forge a bond through smiles, giggles, and a shared love of adventure, while also learning each other's words. The story highlights THE BEAUTY OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY by showcasing the friendship between two girls from different backgrounds. In showing the ways Bela and Lily embrace each other, it promotes understanding and acceptance of different languages, customs, and traditions. Bela's experience trying to make friends without a shared language is an increasingly common one. The story emphasizes the importance of friendship and communication, even when faced with language barriers. It shows how genuine connections can be formed through shared experiences, gestures, and a willingness to understand each other. Natasha Khan Kazi was born in Bangladesh, raised in Texas and Pennsylvania, and now lives in Southern California, where she writes and illustrates books for young readers. Natasha's creative work is rooted in empathy, diversity, and childhood joy. Her debut picture book, Moon's Ramadan, was a 2023 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection with a starred review from School Library Journal. Natasha is a 2023 Highlights Foundation Muslim Storyteller Fellow and the creator of Art with Miss Natasha and IslamiMommy, where she shares her love of art with children around the world. You can also find Natasha on Twitter and Instagram @natashakhankazi.