"We made designs in the courtyard
with colored sand - bright pink and
sparkling blue and dazzling gold.
She dressed me in the same colors
and tucked strands of jasmine in
my hair."
Oh, what a affectionate look at the love between a granddaughter and her grandmother. Jyoti narrates this story of flying back to India for the first time since she was a tiny infant. She and her parents are very excited to see their extended families once again - especially Sita Pati, her grandmother.
India holds many surprises for Jyoti as it is so different from her own home. Thunder, mosquitoes, barking dogs, honking horns, and neighborhood chitchat fill her ears with jarring sounds. Add to that, it seems that everyone is staring at her. It is bothersome. Loneliness takes over when her cousins leave for school; being by herself makes her yearn for home.
Although Sita Pati doesn't speak much English and Jyoti speaks little Tamil, the two find comfort and joy in spending time together. Jyoti enjoys the customs that her grandmother shares. Their trip to the market is a revelation. There is so much to see. Playing games, making food, reading together, and sipping warm milk with saffron before bed are special moments for each new day.
Too soon, it is time to return home. Sadness at leaving leads to much happiness when the following summer it is Sita Pati who makes the trip to America. It is time for Jyoti to help her grandmother allay homesickness with new American experiences.
Gouache and acrylic artwork assembled in digital form, allows readers to see the warm colors and rich settings of the two countries. I especially love the parallel storytelling that compares the two visits seamlessly.
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