For the Love of Laxmi
By Cassie Sun | Contributor
Bijal Shah is not one for boxes.
It's why her book, "For the Love of Laxmi: Everyday Desi Biases and the Imprints They Leave," is not a comic book, nor is it illustrated like any children's book you've seen before. Instead, it's a hybrid.
For the Love of Laxmi: Everyday Desi Biases and the Imprints They Leave: Bijal Shah
"I didn't want stereotypical character design, colors, and font that I usually see in South Asian books," Shah explained in an interview with the Very Asian Foundation. "I wanted something that felt more real than the TV version of a South Asian family."
Family is certainly a thread that runs through the pages of the story as Laxmi, the daughter of South Asian immigrants, navigates the complexities of a dual identity, eventually learning to reconcile the two.
The book opens with newborn Laxmi, a purposeful start for a piece that examines the impact of interactions we have during our childhood, and the moments that stick with us long after we are grown.
"I noticed how the seeds of insecurities are planted at a very young age," wrote Shah, who wrote the book for children as much as she did to spark a conversation among adults around the "casual remarks they heard growing up and how they were impacted by it."
Though "For the Love of Laxmi" has been recognized for its genuine portrayal of South Asian culture, the journey from an idea to the printers hasn't been without toil.
"People have a concept of what South Asian is, and they want a book that highlights holi, diwali, and shows some heena...it's stereotypical and it boxes a culture," Shah wrote.
After feeling no connection to a handful of traditional publishers, Shah described Mascot Publishing as the right fit for "Laxmi."
And so far, she's turned out to be right: "For the Love of Laxmi" has been rated Amazon's #1 New Release multiple times since its publication this past February, and multiple libraries have added “Laxmi” to their collections.
Shah wrote that she intends on continuing Laxmi's story as part of a three-part series exploring college, then healing and boundaries.
But for now, the aspiring memoirist explained that Laxmi's journey has taught her a lesson, too.
"I learned how important it is to own your story," wrote Shah.
You can find "For the Love of Laxmi: Everyday Desi Biases and the Imprints They Leave" at Amazon, Target, Barnes and Noble, and BAM. Bijal Shah can be found on Instagram at @bijalshah, on Twitter at @bijals, book illustrator Alex Carter at @puttheartincarter, and Laxmi's own account at @fortheloveoflaxmi.
