Flying in Colors
Flying in Colors by Padma Prasad Reddeppa, published by Lee & Low Books, Incorporated in 2025, is a 320-page exploration of childhood curiosity set in Tamil Nadu, South India. The story follows nine-year-old Pavi, who grapples with profound questions about life and death while navigating her vibrant family life. Despite the carefree adventures she shares with her intergenerational family, Pavi feels the weight of sadness stemming from her uncle Selva’s death, which occurred shortly after her birth.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of family, tradition, and the challenges of discussing difficult topics. As Pavi seeks answers to her questions about birth and death, she confronts the reluctance of the adults around her to engage in these conversations. The book addresses the complexities of growing up and the importance of understanding one’s heritage while exploring the emotional landscape of loss and the quest for knowledge.
Official synopsis Publisher
Aunties tell nine-year-old Pavi that she’s asking too many “big women” questions, but she’s tired of grown-up secrets. How are babies born? And why do people die? A beautiful debut about family, tradition, and the healing that comes from finding the answers.
It’s 1975, Tamil Nadu, South India, and nine-year-old Pavi is living a carefree life with her large intergenerational family. Every day is an adventure. Why not steal 233 mangoes from the neighbor’s tree? Or make up grand stories that take her to Jupiter? If only there wasn’t a sadness lingering over the family. You see, her uncle Selva died just five months after she was born.
Pavi may have been just a baby when Selva died, but she feels close to him, as if he’s watching over her, helping her when she needs it. But she has so many questions about Selva’s death. And why does anyone die when they do?
The grown-ups in Pavi’s life are hiding something. They dismiss her questions. For instance, when Pavi and her cousins ask about babies, all anyone says is “Little women are asking big women questions.” And when she asks about Selva, there are no answers either. Why is talking about life and death so hard? Pavi is tired of grown-up secrets!
But what if those answers can hurt, or bad things happen? Can prayers and traditions really protect those we love? Pavi is determined to find out.
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