Sugar in Milk

September 15, 2020
Two stories overlap in this book, one many generations old and another modern, illustrating both the power of kindness and a shared humanity between immigrants and their new communities. When a young immigrant girl first comes to the United States, she feels alone and misses her friends, family, and cats back home. The care of her aunt and uncle and all of her new books and toys do not help. Then one day, her aunt tells her a story that changes everything: A group of people from Persia escaped persecution and landed on an Indian kingdom's shore. "Our land is too crowded," said this land's king upon their arrival, "and [they] speak a strange and different language I do not understand." He went to the seashore to order them to leave, but since neither understood the other's tongue, he showed the refugees a glass of milk, full to the very top, and illustrated that it could take no more. The travelers were devastated, but then their leader carefully added one spoonful of sugar to the milk, without spilling it. This made it sweeter and convinced the king to let the newcomer's stay. Exquisite spreads illustrate the book, full of delicate ornamentation for the ancient Parsi tale and cultural diversity on the streets of New York for the modern one. (The protagonist and her aunt and uncle have brown skin, and she and her auntie have shiny, long black hair.) The story changes the young girl's perspective, helping her to embrace her new home and reminding her to lead the way with kindness. An engaging, beautiful, and memorable book. (Picture book. 4-9.)

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Starred review from October 1, 2020

K-Gr 4-After immigrating to the United States, a young girl learns to embrace opportunities in this timely tale of courage and humanity. Set in an unnamed American city of today, a young girl moves in with her aunt and uncle. To cure the young girl's aching homesickness, Auntie relays the story of how ancient Persian refugees immigrated to India. After reaching India's shores, the local king turns them away from his already crowded country. Despite not sharing a common language, the Persian leader shows the king how both groups can live alongside one another in harmony, like sugar in milk. Stunningly portrayed through gorgeous visuals, these flashbacks distinguish themselves within deep blue page borders that become increasingly detailed as the story progresses, and which culminate into a dazzling pattern of peacock feathers and blooming florals as the Persians are welcomed to their new home. After hearing this story, the young girl sees her neighborhood through fresh eyes and discovers her new community is more welcoming than she first thought. Her own journey, which began alone under a cold winter sky, begins anew under the bright sun and a blossoming tree with unlimited potential for a sweet future. VERDICT Lush illustrations and a strong message of hope and perseverance make this a standout title for all collections.-Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL

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October 15, 2020
Grades K-3 The author of When I Carried You in My Belly (2017) again celebrates the contributions of extended family to a child's life. Here a young girl moves to the U.S. to live with her aunt and uncle. She misses her parents and friends from home and spends much time alone. Finally Auntie recounts a story of Persian refugees who fled to India, where they were at first unwelcome until one �migr� demonstrates that a glass entirely full of milk still has room for a spoonful of sugar. Because these ancient Persians settled happily in India, the girl realizes that she can be happy in America. Le's digitally enhanced full-bleed spreads feature vivid colors, intricate patterns suggesting a tapestry or quilt, and many setting details representative of eighth-century India and Persia. Although the unnamed narrator never reveals her reasons for immigrating, and there is no author's note to clarify the Parsis migration to Gujarat described in Auntie's story, this serves to remind that happiness can occur in many places.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)