I’ll Go and Come Back
Written by Rajani LaRocca
Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Published by Candlewick
When Jyoti visits her grandmother halfway around the world, she is overwhelmed by the differences between India and home. At first she feels lonely and out of place, but soon, despite a language barrier, she and Sita Pati are able to understand each other. They form a bond—looking at books together, making designs with colored sand, shopping at the market, playing games, eating chapatis, and sipping warm milk with saffron to bring sweet dreams. When it’s time to part, Jyoti doesn’t want to leave, but then she remembers that in Tamil, people don’t say goodbye, they say “I’ll go and come back.” Sure enough, the two reunite the next summer when Pati visits Jyoti in America, and it’s Jyoti’s turn to make her grandmother feel welcome. Can they create some special memories that will last until the next time they see each other?
9781536207170
Primary ISBN: 9781536207170
Publication Date: March 2022
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 03 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Celebrations, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Generation: 2nd, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: India, United States
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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