From New York Times bestselling author Thrity Umrigar and illustrator Khoa Le comes a story of a young girl who felt alone in her community after recently immigrating to America to live with her Auntie and Uncle-where she finds solace and joy through her Auntie's retelling of a classic Persian myth of acceptance and compassion between strangers.
This timely and timeless story about immigration, refugees, and tolerance is now in paperback for the first time!
When I first came to this country, I felt so alone.
A young immigrant girl joins her aunt and uncle in a new country that is unfamiliar to her. She struggles with loneliness, with a fierce longing for the culture and familiarity of home, until one day, her aunt takes her on a walk. As the duo strolls through their city park, the girl's aunt begins to tell her an old myth, and a story within the story begins.
A long time ago, a group of refugees arrived on a foreign shore. The local king met them, determined to refuse their request for refuge. But there was a language barrier, so the king filled a glass with milk and pointed to it as a way of saying that the land was full and couldn't accommodate the strangers.
Then, the leader of the refugees dissolved sugar in the glass of milk. His message was clear: Like sugar in milk, our presence in your country will sweeten your lives. The king embraced the refugee, welcoming him and his people. The folktale depicted in this book was a part of author Thrity Umrigar's Zoroastrian upbringing as a Parsi child in India, but resonates for children of all backgrounds, especially those coming to a new homeland.
An ALSC Notable Children's Book
A Kirkus Best Books
A School Library Journal Best Books
Winner of the 2021 Ohioana Book Award
An Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award, 2022
"Lush illustrations and a strong message of hope and perseverance make this a standout title." -School Library Journal, Starred Review
"An engaging, beautiful, and memorable book." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
| ISBN: | 9798894143767 |
| Publication date: | 24th September 2026 |
| Author: | Thrity N Umrigar |
| Illustrator: | Khoa Le |
| Publisher: | Running Press an imprint of Little, Brown |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 48 pages |
| Genres: |
Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees Traditional Tales People / Places |
From New York Times bestselling author Thrity Umrigar and illustrator Khoa Le comes a story of a young girl who felt alone in her community after recently immigrating to America to live with her Auntie and Uncle-where she finds solace and joy through her Auntie's retelling of a classic Persian myth of acceptance and compassion between strangers.This timely and timeless story about immigration, refugees, and tolerance is now in paperback for the first time!When I first came to this country, I felt so alone.A young immigrant girl joins her aunt and uncle in a new country that is unfamiliar to her. She struggles with loneliness, with a fierce longing for the culture and familiarity of home, until one day, her aunt takes her on a walk.
Sugar in Milk features in the following genres: Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees, Traditional Tales, People / Places
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Sugar in Milk was written by Thrity N Umrigar and published by Running Press an imprint of Little, Brown
Sugar in Milk has 48 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.