Review by Booklist Review
Meena is so excited about the tea party she and her nanu have planned, but before it starts, there are lessons to be learned about life--and about doodh cha, the traditional Bengali milky tea they plan to serve. While Meena's tummy rumbles in anticipation of the snacks they'll eat, Nanu schools her granddaughter in the culturally significant preparations of doodh cha. Since the tea must simmer for a while, the two have plenty of time for other activities. Together they paint, and Nanu shares stories about when she was a little girl in Bangladesh. Eventually, the tea is ready, the table is set, and the party for two can begin. This is a touching story of intergenerational love and identity. Cheerful illustrations add some cultural context, and a recipe for doodh cha as well as a personal note from the author lend a sweet touch. Can be paired thematically with Rajani LaRocca's Masala Chai, Fast and Slow (2023) and Dinalie Dabarera's Quiet Time with My Seeya (2023).
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A South Asian grandmother and grandchild make tea--and learn a lesson in patience. Meena is visiting Nanu, and it's a very special day: Together, they're going to prepare a Bengali tea called doodh cha using tea leaves from Bangladesh and mint leaves from Nanu's garden. As they start, Meena is already craving the cake and samosas that are filling Nanu's house with a delicious aroma. Though Meena wants to rush, Nanu slows the child down and emphasizes that making tea takes time. While they let the tea simmer and wait for the mint, cloves, ginger, and cardamom to steep, Meena looks at old pictures of Nanu in her childhood kitchen, makes a "fancy card" for Nanu, and listens to Nanu's childhood stories about going outside to play. At long last, the tea is ready--and it's perfect! Meena and Nanu agree that their doodh cha, which they made together, was absolutely worth the wait. This vibrantly illustrated book is a quiet tribute to intergenerational relationships and family traditions. Though it may not offer concrete strategies for helping eager little ones wait for a much-anticipated event, it does teach a valuable lesson without ever verging on didacticism. A tender, gentle tale that will help children live in the moment. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
