When I Found Grandma

A child named Maya is curious about her grandmother, who lives far away. When Grandma arrives for a visit, she isn’t what Maya had expected: she dresses in “fancy clothes” (a sari), brings a tray of treats (Maya prefers cupcakes), and rings prayer bells (which Maya hides). But her grandmother agrees to forgo a temple visit for a trip to an island fair, where she wears a casual pair of pants, buys an “all-American hat” on the boardwalk, and finds Maya when she gets lost looking for the carousel. Maya, in turn, tries her grandma’s rice with cashews and grows to love the sound of her bells. Leng presents each interaction between Maya and her grandmother in hushed yet expressive ink-and-watercolor art. Discovering and embracing differences leads to stronger bonds between family members, Balasubramaniam asserts in this subtle, heartfelt story. Ages 4–7.[em] (Mar.) [/em]