Maya is excited to be in India visiting Grandma, but their time together isn’t quite what she expected … A companion book to When I Found Grandma.

It’s Maya’s first morning in India, but Grandma is already rushing her — it’s market day and they must make the most of Maya’s visit. When Maya comes out of her room wearing her favorite ripped jeans, Grandma wants to sew them! Maya finds the market too hot, too loud, and it’s full of Grandma’s nosy neighbors. Even back at home, Grandma’s friends keep dropping by. Maya just longs to be left alone. But the next morning the house is unusually quiet. Dad explains that Grandma has had to go to the hospital. And suddenly Maya begins to see things differently …

Once again Saumiya Balasubramaniam explores the challenges of cross-cultural and intergenerational relationships in this sweet story with vivid illustrations by Kavita Ramchandran.

Key Text Features

dialogue

illustrations

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Saumiya Balasubramaniam has a Masters in Computer Science and a passion for writing. She received the prestigious Bram and Bluma Appel Scholarship from the Humber School of Creative Writing. The manuscript for When I Found Grandma, her debut picture book, was a finalist in the children’s writing competition held by CANSCAIP (Canadian Society for Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Publishers) and TWUC (The Writers’ Union of Canada). She has also written essays for the Times of India and the Globe and Mail. Saumiya lives with her family in Toronto.

Saumiya Balasubramaniam's profile page

KAVITA RAMCHANDRAN is a self-taught illustrator and graphic designer who has art directed the children’s literary magazine Kahani, designed text books, illustrated apps for kids and created animated shorts. Her debut picture book, Dancing in Thatha’s Footsteps by Srividhya Venkat won the South Asia Book Award. She grew up in Mumbai, India, and now lives with her family in New York City.

Kavita Ramchandran's profile page

When I Visited Grandma tells a heartwarming story about the intergenerational bond between a grandmother and a little girl ... The most poignant element of the book is the love shared between these two individuals.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

A nuanced, insightful look at what it means to have family overseas.

Kirkus Reviews