Description
Book SynopsisI See the Sun in India is the ninth book in the award-winning I See the Sun series. Mila is a bright, happy young girl who shares a day in her life in Jaipur, India. She wakes to the sounds of peacocks outside the window of her home, a palace that has been in her family since the time of the rajas (kings). The story depicts the common activities of life that children will recognize, while simultaneously introducing the culture, language and colors of India. Bilingual in English and Hindi, with glossary and country overview. Suggested activities for classroom and/or home are also included. For ages 5 and up.
Trade Review"Complementing author Dedie King's text, artist Judith Inglese adds a visual layer of diversity throughout the pages, underscoring India's vast population of many, many backgrounds, cultures, and languages." Terry Hong , Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center
"King and Inglese return for the seventh book in their geographical-literacy series for young children, this time visiting India. Mila wakes to the cries of the peacocks at dawn and goes downstairs to the kitchen of the family home in Jaipur, which is "so big my parents rented rooms to tourists." Sari-clad Maa packs lunch ( biryani ), and then blue-jumpered Mila hops into the tuk-tuk , in which her uncle drives her to school. There, she greets her friends in Hindi, but classes are conducted primarily in English. In the afternoon, she visits her gem-merchant Baba in the bazaar and then meets a friend for a Bollywood movie. After a curry dinner, she does her homework and then heads to bed. As in previous books, Inglese provides mixed-media illustrations in muted palettes, positioning her characters within and against photo-collaged scenes of bustling streets, peaceful courtyards, and such sights as the Raj Mandir movie theater and the massive Hawa Mahal palace ... Though there is no express mention of it in the narration, Mila's family hints at India's ethnic tapestry, with skin tones that range from light to dark. A substantial author's note provides some historical context as well as touching on some of India's ethnic and economic complexities. Mila's narration appears in Hindi above English text on every page. Though it's necessarily oversimplified, it's still a sweet introduction to one part of modern India." Kirkus Reviews
"A girl named Mila walks readers through a day in her life in Jaipur, India, in this seventh book in the I See the Sun series. Mixed-media illustrations incorporate torn paper, photo collage, and delicately drawn images of Mila, her family, friends, and others she meets at school, at a Bollywood movie theater, and around town. The story is translated into Hindi, and a glossary of more than a dozen Hindi words is included. As with earlier books in the series, it's a gentle, intimate glimpse into the parallels and differences in the lives of children around the world." Publishers Weekly
