Meena Can't Wait

by Farida Zaman (Author)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Meena is excited because today she's going to Nanu's house to drink tea and eat treats.

When Meena gets there, she's ready to get started...but her nanu tells her it's not time yet. Today they're going to have a very special Bengali tea called doodh cha, and they are going to make it together.

First, they harvest some ingredients from the garden. Then they head inside to prepare. Meena's tummy is rumbling as she smells her grandmother's freshly baked samosas and spice cake, but she helps crush the cardamom and cloves and learns when to add the milk, sugar and tea. While they're waiting for the doodh cha to be done, Nanu shares memories of her past in Bangladesh as they look at old photos, paint pictures and set the table. And when the doodh cha is finally ready, it's just as delicious as Nanu had promised. Nanu was right: "It always tastes better when we make it together."

Included in this book inspired by author Farida Zaman's own visits with her grandmother is Farida's family doodh cha recipe.

Select format:
Hardcover
$21.95

Kirkus Reviews

A tender, gentle tale that will help children live in the moment. 

Booklist

This is a touching story of intergenerational love and identity. 

Review quotes

This vibrantly illustrated book is a quiet tribute to intergenerational relationships and family traditions. A tender, gentle tale that will help children live in the moment. — Kirkus Reviews
Farida Zaman

Farida Zaman is a multi-disciplinary artist and writer who is well known for her whimsical, uplifting designs. She has illustrated fourteen picture books, including When Mom's Away, Ta-Da! and The Yoga Game, and is the author/illustrator of I Want To Be... A Gutsy Girls' ABC. Born in Bangladesh, and having called many different countries home, Farida describes herself as a global citizen with a flair for illustrating stories related to different cultures. She trained in fine art and illustration at the Chelsea School of Art and the Wimbledon School of Art in London, England, where she graduated top of her class with honors. Farida lives in Toronto.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781459836396
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Publication date
March 20, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV050000 - Juvenile Fiction | Cooking & Food
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Library of Congress categories
-

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