Reviewed by Paige Pagan
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Anitha Rao-Robinson
Music of the Bells is a cheerful, informative picture book for young elementary children about Kathak Indian classical dance and the ways it connects a girl back to her homeland and serves as a bridge to Western dance.
Though Neela now dances ballet, she hasn’t forgotten the way Kathak made her feel — the sound of the bells jingling from her swiftly moving ankles; the intermingling melody of the tabla, bansuri flute, and the ragas her grandmother would sing; and most of all, the stories the dances tell, inspired by Hindu mythology, that transports her back to India.
When Neela’s dance studio announces an upcoming showcase, she decides to give a Kathak performance fused with ballet. At first, Neela worries that no one will like her dance, but then she thinks of what makes her passionate about Kathak and realizes that the story of this dance reveals how she remembers the past and welcomes in the new.
I appreciate the focus on Kathak in this narrative, as most picture books on the topic of Indian classical dance feature Bharatanatyam. Rao-Robinson’s portrayal of the dance form feels accurate and Prabhat’s vibrant illustrations contribute to its authenticity. By the end of the narrative, it’s implied that Neela learned she need not choose between Kathak and ballet, but can dance both no matter where she resides, which is a valuable moral.
I wish Rao-Robinson would have mentioned in her author’s note that children who are interested in studying Kathak can do so in the United States, albeit in selective places. In-text, it almost felt like learning Kathak was relegated to India. While North India is its place of origin, Kathak and other classical forms (Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchi Pudi, Kathakali, etc.) have branched out all over the world. In fact, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, dance has become more accessible than ever with dance teachers seeing the benefits of remote learning. There are Indian classical dance companies across the United States that train children and adults both in-person and online.
Paige Pagan is a Social Justice Books program specialist at Teaching for Change.
Find more books on this topic on our Dance and South Asian booklists.
Music of the Bells by Anitha Rao-Robinson
Published by Penguin Group on March 17, 2026
Genres: Asian American, Dance, South Asian
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Early Childhood, Grade K
ISBN: 9780593624371
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Publisher's synopsis: 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.
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