Review of "Singing Surya Dreams to Dance" by Suchi Sairam

Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)

It's the grand return of Suchi Sairam!
Singing Surya Dreams to Dance is the direct sequel to Dancing Deepa, Sairam's previous book which was named our 2022 Children's Book of the Year!

So, we came into this with a lot of high expectations, and this book didn't disappoint! Like its predecessor, it's well-illustrated (by Vidya Vasudevan), solidly-written, engaging, interesting, and inspiring!

It encourages kids of all genders and ages to break free from their social constraints and pursue things like dance and performing arts—things which are often viewed as girlie or feminine activities.

We live in an age in which a large number of teachers and nurses are male.
We live in an age in which girls can become engineers, carpenters, pilots, and CEOs.

Specifically to this book: boys can be dancers, singers, and performers!

Children are increasingly empowered to pursue their passions without being boxed in by outdated stereotypes. Singing Surya Dreams to Dance boldly reinforces this cultural shift by centering a young Indian-American boy, Surya, who dreams not of sports or superheroes, but of rhythm, storytelling, and stage lights. It's a powerful message—not only about cultural pride but about the courage to be different, expressive, and emotionally honest.

This is going to seem like a bit of a tangent, but bear with us...
Creed released a beautiful song that almost no one talks about titled "Hide" that was mostly contained to the album "Weathered." You probably wouldn't hear it on the radio. Yet, its message and themes are universal and resonate so well with Singing Surya Dreams to Dance. Both works explore the idea of someone who wants to be what they want to be and do what they want to do, but are afraid of judgment and social repercussions. The song and the book alike explore the idea of being open and honest with oneself and world. Instead of trying to hide who you are, be proud of it.

That could be something as seemingly small as a love for dance—a passion or a hobby you have that may not be shared or accepted by others.

Something that seems so small and insignificant to others may be a huge deal to an individual who finds joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment through the artform.

Surya's struggles really resonated with us. Even authors struggle with feelings like this—imposter’s syndrome is one example. That nagging voice in your head that whispers, “You’re not good enough,” or “You don’t belong here,” can be just as loud backstage before a dance recital as it is before hitting “publish” on a manuscript.

Surya’s journey reminds us that those doubts don’t make you weak—they make you human. And more importantly, they can be overcome. By choosing to show up, to step into the spotlight, and to express himself through movement, Surya models bravery that every child (and adult) can learn from.

His story isn’t just about dance—it’s about identity, vulnerability, and the quiet courage it takes to be yourself in a world that sometimes doesn’t understand. That’s why Singing Surya Dreams to Dance isn’t just a children’s book—it’s a mirror, a lesson, and a celebration of hobbies and passions for all ages.

It's a license and an invitation to try everything as long as they are moral, ethical, legal, and relatively low in risk: sports, performing arts, recreational activities, etc.

There are some seriously touching moments in this book like Surya is watching the girls in the class dance, feeling like he's not allowed to join along despite wanting to. Instead, he dances in his mind, and the tragedy of this hits you like a bag of bricks.

This young man could be a superstar. He could be a professional. He could be dancing on TV, in front of crowds of cheering people, or for a traveling circus or major theater production. He could be happy and fulfilled, but he's not because of society's narrow view on what boys and girls are allowed/expected to do.

Have you ever felt that way? Like you wanted to try or do something but society told you that it wasn't for you? That you weren't good enough? That you weren't a good fit?

Everyone can relate.

Interestingly, Deepa—the protagonist in the previous book—returns in this one, serving almost like an antagonistic force, ironically, as Surya's sister who is always discouraging him from dancing and singing, seeing it as annoying and as acting out. You would think that she'd be a bit more sympathetic considering her personal struggles getting into dance, but it's relatable. Siblings are naturally adversarial and bicker constantly. It's part of being siblings. Also, we all have that annoying, obnoxious, loud person in our family who always needs to be heard and seen above everyone else. It's normal to tell that person to be quiet or to calm down.

But Surya isn't just being loud for the sake of it. Surya has so much pent up in him—so much to show the world!

He has a love for singing and for dance that's just waiting to be nurtured.
This book encourages us to support and nurture the talents, passions, and hobbies of each individual.

Check it out on Amazon!