Bela and Lily

A heartwarming picture book about two young girls who don't speak the same language and still become fast friends, by Bangladeshi American writer and artist, Natasha Khan Kazi.

Lily looks at my eyes, lips, and shoulders
as if they are pieces of a puzzle.


Bela, who has recently arrived in the United States from Bangladesh, meets Lily on the swings. But how do you make a friend when you don’t speak the same language? Based on Natasha’s own experience as a five-year-old immigrant making her first friend, Bela and Lily is about how two kindred spirits forge a bond through smiles, giggles, and a shared love of adventure, while also learning each other’s words.Praise for Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi:

“Inspired by her own experiences as an immigrant, Khan Kazi captures the frustration of language barriers, as well as the joys of transcending them.” –Kirkus Reviews

Natasha Khan Kazi was born in Bangladesh, raised in Texas and Pennsylvania, and now lives in Southern California, where she writes and illustrates books for young readers. Natasha’s creative work is rooted in empathy, diversity, and childhood joy. Her debut picture book, Moon's Ramadan, was a 2023 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection with a starred review from School Library Journal. Natasha is a 2023 Highlights Foundation Muslim Storyteller Fellow and the creator of Art with Miss Natasha and IslamiMommy, where she shares her love of art with children around the world. You can also find Natasha on X/Twitter and Instagram @NatashaKhanKazi.