Music of the Bells

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.

Author: Anitha Rao-Robinson
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Published: 03/17/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.10h x 9.30w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780593624371
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 02/09/2026
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2026
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2026
School Library Journal 02/13/2026 pg. 1

About the Author
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.