Ghungroos for Gauri

In her debut as author-illustrator, Neha Rawat offers a story joyfully rooted in Indian traditional culture, sibling love, and multidimensional girlhood.

Gauri and her sister, Nandini, are opposites, like sunshine and shade. Gauri is rough and tumble, fond of soccer and skateboarding. Nandini is stylish, gentle, and poised. But one day, while her sister practices Bharatanatyam, Gauri hears Nandini’s ghungroos jingling. Enchanted by the tinkling ankle bells, Gauri must try the dance for herself. As her sister teaches her rhythm, graceful hand movements, and elegant poses, Gauri stomps along . . . but her ghungroos sound jittery and offbeat, her mudra isn’t pretty, and she can’t stay balanced. Soon she despairs of ever dancing as beautifully as her sister. Will Gauri have to give up on her dreams of exploring her more graceful side? Featuring an author’s note about Indian classical dance, this playful picture book debut invites readers to break out of their prescribed roles and experience the joys of working hard on something new.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs