Chaiwala!

Chai has been flowing through cups and glasses all over the Indian subcontinent and its diaspora for centuries--long before Starbucks brought the word and drink into Western lingo. Chai is the Hindi/Urdu word for "tea," and the chaiwala is the man who makes and sells it on the street and in cafés. (Women make chai too, but they don't get a title.) This lovely picture book honors the humble chaiwala and recognizes his skill and presence in everyday life. A girl and her mother traveling by train stop in Jaipur, where they have 10 minutes--just enough for some chai. Beautiful cut-paper collage illustrations swirl and twirl like the steam from a cup of chai, adding crisp and colorful details to the simple story. Unlike most books that honor food, the recipe is here integrated into the story itself rather than the back matter. If there are no quantities or measurements, it is because the chaiwala does not use them; he just knows. Anyone who makes chai will appreciate that detail.

PreS-K--The simple joy of indulging in a delicious treat is captured exquisitely in this story about a girl and her mother stopping at a chai vendor's cart in the midst of their train journey. This brief glimpse at everyday life in India holds universal appeal for young readers, who will relate to the girl's anticipation as she observes the enticingly detailed ritual of preparing the hot, spicy drink. Paper collage illustrations burst with vibrant colors and textures, complementing the onomatopoeia-rich prose to create a sensory experience that will have readers craving their own steaming cup of chai. In the tradition of Grace Lin's Dim Sum for Everyone! and Linda Sue Park's Bee Bim Bop!, this book elevates the experience of savoring a favorite culinary delight and celebrates a cuisine staple that's as culturally rich as it is nourishing. It provides a jubilant, affirming mirror for children who already know the comforting warmth of a cup of chai, and a welcoming window for those who haven't yet had the pleasure. VERDICT A wonderful choice for story time and a first purchase for all collections.--Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA

A child and their mother are on a train in India. When the train pulls into Jaipur station, the stop is 10 minutes long: just long enough to get a delicious cup of chai. Parent and child rush to the chai counter and wait in line for their turn. After they order, the child watches the chaiwala make their tea. First, he uses a mortar and pestle to grind up cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. Next, he drops fresh tea leaves into the pot. He then adds milk and sugar and heats everything until it starts to "boil and bubble." Finally, he pours the tea into glasses, transferring it back and forth from pitcher to glass until it cools. The mother and child also purchase some sweets to dip into the tea--"biscuits and rusks"--and sit on the platform to enjoy their snack before the train takes off again. The text describes a scene familiar to many Indian train passengers, using authentic details and multisensory descriptions. The liberal use of onomatopoeia makes the book particularly fun to read out loud. The cut-paper illustrations are charming and do a wonderful job capturing the essence of Indian railway stations. While there is a clearly Sikh character shown on the platform, there are no characters who are obviously Muslim. Based on the mother's bindi, the main characters appear to be Hindu. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sweetly captures a slice of Indian life. (Picture book. 2-4) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.