Tea With Milk and Honey by Alan Say

 Tea with Milk by Allen Say


  1. Bibliography

Say, Allen. 2009. Boston, Ma; HMH Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0547237472


  1. Plot Summary

This is the story of a young girl named Masako, as she immigrates to Japan from the United States. Masako, or May, is forced to learn Japanese and how to be a “proper Japanese lady.” The struggles May faces as the outsider in a foreign land is one that sets her on the path of self-discovery.


  1. Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)

The opening page of this story features an image of a little girl standing in a white dress, in front of an American flag. The contrast between the little Japanese girl, with her dark black hair cut into a short and sleek bob and the American Flag in the background is striking. 

Continuing on with the story, Masako is introduced along with the customs of her family. These customs are authentic to the Japanese culture, and include eating rice and miso soup and drinking green tea. This in comparison to the pancakes, muffins, and tea with milk and sugar of her friends set May and her family apart. 

In comparison to Masako’s life in America, her life in Japan was much more difficult for her to grow familiar and accustomed to. The activities that May learned in Japan varied from flower arranging, calligraphy, ceremonial tea pouring.  As the story progresses, Masako learns to find her own way in a country that is full of their own culture and traditions.


  1. Review Excerpts

Horn Book: "Continuing to explore place and home, Say tells the story of his mother, first introduced to readers in TREE OF CRANES. Born in California to Japanese immigrants, Masako is miserable when she moves to Japan with her parents after high school. The illustrations capture Masako's unhappiness and also her eventual contentment as she learns to combine two cultures." 


Kirkus Review:“Painted with characteristic control and restraint, Say's illustrations, largely portraits, begin with a sepia view of a sullen child in a kimono, gradually take on distinct, subdued color, and end with a formal shot of the smiling young couple in Western dress. A stately cousin to Ina R. Friedman's How My Parents Learned To Eat (1984), also illustrated by Say.”


  1. Connections

Say, Allen. GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY. ISBN 0547076800.


Maestro, Betsy. COMING TO AMERICA. ISBN 0590441515.


Polacco, Patricia. THE KEEPING QUILT. ISBN 0689844476.

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