My Momo-La is a Museum
Mamta Nainy author Violet Kim illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Lantana Publishing
Published:4th Apr '24
Should be back in stock very soon
A powerful story of migration, wisdom and grandmotherly love.
A child and their grandmother take a trip around the museums of the city, only to find that the further they walk, the closer to home their journey seems to take them. Could the museum the child knows the best and loves the most be right on their doorstep all along?A child and their grandmother take a trip around the museums of the city, only to find that the further they walk, the closer to home their journey seems to take them... Momo-la is a collector of unusual things. She rummages through her collection of stories whenever she comes to visit. When her grandchild asks where her stories come from, she takes them on a trip around the museums of the city, pointing out that there are stories behind every work of art, every sculpture, every invention. But as the child sees exhibit after exhibit, they realise that each one reminds them of their Momo-la – the clothes she wears, the keepsakes she carries, and the memories she shares of her Tibetan home. Could the museum the child knows the best and loves the most be right on their doorstep all along? A gorgeously-written story about the love of a grandmother for her grandchild, the precious memories we carry and the treasures we keep in the hope of passing them down to the next generation.
“This charming story features a clever premise and delicately tender illustrations. The lyrical language, child-friendly examples, and relevant message about the importance of honoring family bonds and history make for a meaningful read.” — Kirkus Reviews
“It’s incredibly powerful to realise how people, as well as objects, are part of the heritage of our communities and how much knowledge they have to pass on. I particularly like how Momo-la wears a chuba (a traditional Tibetan apron) and how she drops small tidbits about her past throughout the story. These points are expanded on at the end through the author’s letter, and provide a great starting point for discussing forced migration with young readers. Most of all, this story is a celebration of a warm and loving intergenerational relationship, one that remains with you long after the book has ended.” – Books for Little Bookworms
“The artwork is beautiful and there are many visual delights to take in on each page. I loved how this books encourages children to explore and take an interest in not just their own cultural heritage and family history but that of others around them.” – All Books Great and Small
“The simple but elegant and relatable illustrations of Violet Kim allow readers to find themselves in the story, imagine themselves in the museums Momo-la and her grandchild visit. Mamta Nainy’s story is incredible, thoughtful and clever in equal parts, offering a very special surprise at the end. A thought-provoking and gentle story reminding us that stories are everywhere and they are ours to make.”
– Armadillo Magazine
"With vibrant yet soft and comforting illustrations, the special bond between grandparent and grandchild is beautifully explored. A celebration of personal histories and oral storytelling with a focus on Tibet." – Inclusive Books for Children
“A memorable, heartwarming story of intergenerational love, family, culture, memories, treasures and most importantly, stories. It’s a powerful reminder that grandparents, parents and other family members are treasure chests of stories, stories that they love to share if we give them time to do so.” – Jill Bennett, Librarian, Red Reading Hub
ISBN: 9781915244635
Dimensions: 260mm x 260mm x 7mm
Weight: 367g
32 pages