In the mountains of Meghalaya, India, a living bridge stands tall, connecting the land and its people with the interwoven roots of tall, wide ficus trees. The bridge is called Jingkieng Jri, and it’s alive. A little boy can’t wait to learn to weave the roots together just like the generations before him.
PRAISE FOR LIVING BRIDGES
A 2025 Junior Library Guild selection (Global Citizenship)
Booklist: “A beautiful testament that harmony between humans and nature is possible, even in trying times. “
Kirkus: “A tribute to the Jingkieng Jri, bridges woven from the roots of living trees by the residents of northeastern India’s rainy Meghalaya state . . . A perceptive visit to a remote wonder that blends natural materials and human skills.”
MATH meets FUN in this heartwarming story. Idu (Ee-doo) and Adu (Aa-doo) want to eat the Gulab Jamuns Mama has made, but Mama has asked them to wait for the guests. But how does one stay away from soft, sticky, melt-in-your-mouth Gulab Jamuns?
Positive reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist Online, American Pacific Asian Librarians Association (APALA), and many more. In Curriculum of Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI www.cli.org)
PRAISE FOR 10 GULAB JAMUNS:
Selected into Curriculum of Children’s Literacy Initiative! (CLI www.cli.org)
Publishers Weekly: “.. Acharya’s straightforward storytelling and Alexandre’s swoopy digital illustrations create a cozy portrait of Indian home life. “
Booklist: “For children with a sweet tooth, like Idu and Adu, it is challenging to resist Gulab Jamuns…Double-page illustrations show the two mischievous boys and their smiling mother dressed in traditional Indian clothes. Household objects and foods portray the traditions of this happy Indian American family’s particular culture, while also highlighting a universal story.”
Midwest Book Review: “a picture book story that will appeal beyond India’s borders with its powerful combined lesson on math, sweet teeth, and taking responsibility for one’s choices. 10 Gulab Jamuns: Counting With An Indian Sweet Treat is highly recommended for parents seeking picture book read-alouds that hold multicultural elements and different insights.”
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association: “This fun and playful story, inspired by Acharya’s childhood memories and her love of sweets, provides an opportunity to reinforce basic counting and math skills for young children. In addition, it depicts loving family interactions that underscore values of honesty, sharing, collaboration, and community.”