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“Whenever Priya’s extended family comes over, her older siblings and cousins run off to play, telling her that she’s too young to join them. Priya doesn’t mind, though, because she gets to hang out with Mauntie (“My Auntie”)—the nickname she’s given her mother’s sister. …Then one day Priya’s cousin Aditi comes to visit. Aditi, who’s close to Priya’s age, ends up intruding on Priya and Mauntie’s time, taking over a game of Go Fish and answering Mauntie’s riddles before Priya has a chance to think them through. …This clearly written, deeply empathetic book is a tender look at how families grow over time, with relationships evolving as people change locations.”

– Kirkus Reviews

Mauntie and Me

Written by Rajani LaRocca
Illustrated by Nadia Alam
Published by Candlewick

Every Saturday, when Priya’s aunties and uncles and cousins come over, the other kids run off to play together, leaving Priya behind. But she doesn’t mind, because she gets to have her favorite aunt, Mauntie—short for My Auntie—all to herself. Until, that is, her older cousin Aditi comes to visit and wants to share Mauntie’s attention. Priya doesn’t want to share—she wants things to go back to the way they were! With Mauntie’s help, can she find a way to ease her feelings of jealousy and make room in their family duo for one more?

Nadia Alam’s artwork details a cozy home and a big, loving family in this sweet story by Rajani LaRocca of taming cousin rivalry that will appeal to anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out or struggled to share something precious.

Primary ISBN: 9781536229417
Publication Date: November 2024
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 03 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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