This Is Who I Am by Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Ruchi Mhasane

As a third culture kid myself, this book means a lot to me, as it beautifully captures and explains the experience of belonging to more than just one place and culture.

Told in the first person, this charmingly illustrated children’s book is essentially the story of author Rashmi Sirdeshpande and her family. Her parents emigrated from Goa, India, to work as doctors in the United Kingdom. Some of the locals were lovely and welcoming, while others were much less so. As she and her younger brother were born and grew up, they would join their parents in traveling back to India to visit family, even as they had otherwise British upbringings.

Sometimes, she would encounter the questions of what she is or where she’s (really) from. These are, ofc, loaded questions, often asked by people who want to categorize you as “other”. The answer is far more complicated than the querents usually expect, too, leading to confusion on all sides. FWIW, I think the best way to ask about a person’s ethnicity or culture is to ask “Are you [nationality]?” because that shows an actual interest in the world around you, and a familiarity with the wider world. That said, I’ll never forget the time some Asian guy walked up to me, all smiles, and asked, “Are you Filipina?” When I replied in the negative, his face dropped into an expression of disgust as he stomped off. Lol, sorry, bro.

With lyrical prose, Ms Sirdeshpande invites bicultural kids to embrace all the aspects of their heritage, to enjoy their present privileges and experiences, even as they learn more about their history on both sides. It is really these experiences more than anything else that shape who you are, as this book asserts, as well as the experiences of your teachers and ancestors. You should embrace the good of where you came from and where you are, and feel ashamed of neither.

Ruchi Mhasane’s illustrations are perfect for this tale, with gentle colors and a cozy mixed media style. They do justice not only to Ms Sirdeshpande’s story but also to the fascinating cast of historical characters who make brief cameos here. Their biographies are further expanded on in an informative section at the end, bringing even more value to an already terrific book about embracing all aspects of your heritage, upbringing and identity.

This Is Who I Am by Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Ruchi Mhasane was published April 7 2026 by Magination Press and is available from all good booksellers, including