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- Sugar in Milk [hc]
Sugar in Milk [hc]
Written by Thrity Umrigar [Ohio] & illustrated by Khoa Le
When I first came to this country, I felt so alone.
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. 48 pages
"Lush illustrations and a strong message of hope and perseverance make this a standout title for all collections." -School Library Journal, Starred Review (Kindergarten-Grade 4)
"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... An engaging, beautiful, and memorable book." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review (Ages 4-9)
October 6, 2020
Lexile Level=740 AD Adult-Directed Text
2021 Ohioana Book Award Winner
2021 ALSC Notable Children's Book
2020 Kirkus Best Books
2020 School Library Journal Best Books