Nisha Knows Best

Maryann Jacob Macias is a picture book author, a graduate of the City College of New York, CUNY and the Solstice MFA Low-Residency Program at Pine Manor College.Maithili Joshi is an illustrator and cover designer from India, now based in New York. Maithili began her career in children’s publishing after graduating from the School of Visual Arts in 2022. She illustrates picture books with various publishers while also designing middle-grade and young adult book covers.

“Macias depicts a boisterous yet empathetic South Asian family whose love for one another is palpable as they give their littlest space to deal with big feelings . . . Joshi’s illustrations, rendered in bright saturated primary colors, are filled with movement and energy, balancing joyful scenes of reunion with Nisha’s need for space and quiet. A thoughtful and tender primer on bodily autonomy.” —Kirkus"Heartfelt and empowering…The vibrant illustrations mirror the warm love of the family; the expressive colors of Nisha’s paintings convey her feelings… A timely, tender celebration of emotional intelligence, cultural connection, and the importance of consent." –Booklist