Words That Taste Like Home
Written by Sandhya Parappukkaran
Illustrated by Michelle Pereira
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
Rohan loves spending time with Muthassi—his grandmother. They share stories as they eat sour pickles and tell jokes while they walk through the mango trees. When Rohan’s parents announce that they’ll be moving to a different country, Rohan promises to call Muthassi every day.
Their new country is full of new experiences: a new school, a new puppy, and even a new language. Rohan can’t wait to tell Muthassi all about his adventures, but when he picks up the phone, he can’t find the right words.
Slowly, Rohan begins to worry that his new language is chasing away his first one, and with it, his connection to Muthassi. When his parents tell him that they’ll be spending the summer in their home country, Rohan is nervous. What if he can’t talk to Muthassi anymore?
Words That Taste Like Home is a heartwarming picture book about how language can connect us to our culture and help us hold on to the people we love.
Primary ISBN: 9781419780684
Publication Date: July 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Indian/Indian American
Themes: Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Separation: Different Immigration Status, Generational Differences, Generational Differences: Language, Identity: Multilingual, Multilingual: Malayalam Featured Words, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Setting: Home Country
Setting: India, Unspecified (Western Country)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
Click here for details about how we define our titles.
Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.