Milky Way

Words By: Mamta Nainy | Art By: Siddhartha Tripathi

A sweet bedtime story that explores the deep connection between a child and the natural world

Tashi is worried about his friend, the Moon. He seems thinner than usual. Night after night, Tashi observes his friend shrinking till only a sliver remains in the sky. Maybe the Moon's Amma-ley isn't giving him enough to eat? With some advice from his grandmother, Tashi decides to help his friend. And lo and behold, the Moon returns one night as his roly-poly, perfectly round self. And what does the Moon have to say to Tashi? Well, he just smiles his special smile—eyes closed and no teeth showing.

Set in the remote Himalayas in India, this STEM picture book introduces young readers to the phases of the moon while opening a window into Tibetan Buddhist cultures. The story includes words from the Ladakhi language and highlights their delectable cuisine.

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"Charming, stylized illustrations bring saturated color to a story of the waxing and waning moon, set in a northern region of India bordering Tibet."—School Library Journal

“... so much richer because the story is set in such a unique location.”—The Loud Library Lady, PK-12 School Librarian

“... would work well in a classroom science unit as an example of bridging science and culture.”—Read It Real Good

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Themes:
Magical Realism, Around the World, Asia, Astronomy, Family Stories, Family, Friendship Stories, STEM, Relationship Skills, Picture Book, Buddhism