Sugar in Milk
by Thrity Umrigar (Author) Khoa Le (Illustrator)
A young immigrant girl joins her aunt and uncle in a new country that is unfamiliar to her. She struggles with loneliness, with a fierce longing for the culture and familiarity of home, until one day, her aunt takes her on a walk.
As the duo strolls through their city park, the girl's aunt begins to tell her an old myth, and a story within the story begins. A long time ago, a group of refugees arrived on a foreign shore. The local king met them, determined to refuse their request for refuge. But there was a language barrier, so the king filled a glass with milk and pointed to it as a way of saying that the land was full and couldn't accommodate the strangers. Then, the leader of the refugees dissolved sugar in the glass of milk. His message was clear: Like sugar in milk, our presence in your country will sweeten your lives. The king embraced the refugee, welcoming him and his people.
The folktale depicted in this book was a part of author Thrity Umrigar's Zoroastrian upbringing as a Parsi child in India, but resonates for children of all backgrounds, especially those coming to a new homeland.
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School Library Journal
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
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV030020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Asia
JUV012060 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | Asian
Folklore
Refugees
Tales
India
