MY MOMO-LA IS A MUSEUM

A Tibetan grandmother and her grandchild make connections while touring a series of museums.

The brown-skinned narrator loves Momo-La’s summer visits—Momo-La brings a collection of “unusual things” and tells captivating stories. When the narrator asks where these tales come from, Momo-La decides it’s time for a trip to “some places that stories especially like.” In museums devoted to ancient history, art, science, and more, the two encounter a series of objects that remind Momo-La of her past, from a painting with a pattern like the one Momo-La wears on her chuba (or apron) to a sea stone that looks like one Momo-La found while escaping Tibet in a fishing boat. In the end, though, the protagonist’s favorite museum is Momo-La herself. This charming story features a clever premise and delicately tender illustrations. Though the love between grandmother and child comes through clearly, the narrative is vague at times about aspects of Momo-La’s life; young readers may be left wondering, for instance, why she had to flee Tibet. An author’s note in which Nainy discusses her own grandmother, who migrated to India after the Partition, fills in some gaps. Overall, the lyrical language, child-friendly examples, and relevant message about the importance of honoring family bonds and history make for a meaningful read.

A warm tale about the search for stories.