I See the Sun in India

Overview

For many of us, when we hear about India and its culture, we immediately think of yoga and the Indian greeting, "Namaste." Wouldn't it be wonderful to learn, in a more meaningful way, what living in India is really like? In I See the Sun in India (Satya House, February 2019) readers are introduced to Mila, a bright, happy young girl who shares a day in her life in Jaipur, India.Mila's life is quite like every other young girl's life—she eats breakfast with her family, attends school (learning Hindu and English) and enjoys spending time with her friends.Through vibrant illustrations, readers tour the city, passing by the famous Hawa Mahal, or "palace of winds" as well as getting a glimpse of the bustling bazaar. Mila's family works in the historical gem jewelry business and it is clear that Mila is very serious about her education in hopes of joining the family business someday. Through the vibrant illustrations, the reader can almost taste the orange mango chutney and roti (Indian flat bread) on the table.Like the other books in the I See the Sun Series, I See the Sun in India was written in English and also translated into Hindi. I See the Sun in India includesan overview of the country, a glossary of unfamiliar words, and a map that highlights where India is on the globe.

Reviews

"Complementing author Dedie King's text, artist Judith Inglese adds a visual layer of diversity throughout the pages, underscoring India's vast population of many, many backgrounds, cultures, and languages." — Terry Hong, Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center  

"King and Inglese return for the seventh book in their geographical-literacy series for young children, this time visiting India. Mila wakes to the cries of the peacocks at dawn and goes downstairs to the kitchen of the family home in Jaipur, which is "so big my parents rented rooms to tourists." Sari-clad Maa packs lunch (biryani), and then blue-jumpered Mila hops into the tuk-tuk, in which her uncle drives her to school. There, she greets her friends in Hindi, but classes are conducted primarily in English. In the afternoon, she visits her gem-merchant Baba in the bazaar and then meets a friend for a Bollywood movie. After a curry dinner, she does her homework and then heads to bed. As in previous books, Inglese provides mixed-media illustrations in muted palettes, positioning her characters within and against photo-collaged scenes of bustling streets, peaceful courtyards, and such sights as the Raj Mandir movie theater and the massive Hawa Mahal palace ... Though there is no express mention of it in the narration, Mila's family hints at India's ethnic tapestry, with skin tones that range from light to dark. A substantial author's note provides some historical context as well as touching on some of India's ethnic and economic complexities. Mila's narration appears in Hindi above English text on every page. Though it's necessarily oversimplified, it's still a sweet introduction to one part of modern India." — Kirkus Reviews  

"A girl named Mila walks readers through a day in her life in Jaipur, India, in this seventh book in the I See the Sun series. Mixed-media illustrations incorporate torn paper, photo collage, and delicately drawn images of Mila, her family, friends, and others she meets at school, at a Bollywood movie theater, and around town. The story is translated into Hindi, and a glossary of more than a dozen Hindi words is included. As with earlier books in the series, it's a gentle, intimate glimpse into the parallels and differences in the lives of children around the world." — Publishers Weekly  

Author Biography

Author, Dedie King, a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, also taught school there. She travels extensively and spends a considerable amount of time, not as a tourist, but immersed in many cultures, living with families who open their homes to her. She holds a MEd and has taught elementary school and children with learning disabilities. Her interest in writing books about different cultures is to bring awareness to young children of both the sameness and the differences of cultures around the world.Judith Inglese has been designing and fabricating ceramic tile murals for public environments for more than thirty years. Her commissions include libraries, schools, hospitals and municipal and institutional buildings like the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Her murals often focus on the play and imagination of children as well as cross-cultural exchange and community. In the I See the Sun books, she combines photography, cut paper and drawing in her collage illustrations. Like her ceramic tile murals, her illustrations are colorful and detailed with strong forms and line work.