Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Making it Just Right!
Aarav is sure he can make the drink, masala chai, much faster than his grandfather, Thatha. He and his grandfather, along with the entire family, enjoy drinking it together. On his first try, he makes it much quicker than Thatha. He does it by throwing everything into the pot, and not following the steps. But when he drinks it, the taste is bad.
Next, he does things in order, but hurries through them. When he samples it, it is awful. He keeps on working, but wonders if it will ever taste like Thatha’s.
This is a sweet story about a little boy who wants to do everything fast, and is sure his grandfather does things too slow. Children will have fun learning the different things Aarav does when he tries to make the drink quickly, and what happens when it is tasted. Even though this story takes place in Aarav’s culture, all children will identify with wanting to speed things along.
I liked that this story centers around a family, and that they do things together, including the special tradition of drinking masala chai. A special bonus is the recipe at the end of the story.
This five-star, over-sized picture book will be enjoyed by children aged three through seven.
Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Masala Chai, Fast and Slow,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.
