When Lola Visits

Four starred reviews! In an evocative picture book brimming with the scents, tastes, and traditions that define a young girl's summer with her grandmother, debut author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Aaron Asis come together to celebrate the gentle bonds of familial love that span oceans and generations.

For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, and of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn't start until her lola-her grandmother from the Philippines-comes for her annual visit.

Summer is special. For her lola fills the house with the aroma of mango jam, funny stories of baking mishaps, and her quiet sweet singing in Tagalog. And in turn, her granddaughter brings Lola to the beach, to view fireworks at the park, and to catch fish at their lake.

When Lola visits, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return home-but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer.

* BookPage Best Books of the Year * The New York Public Library's Best Books of the Year * Kirkus Best Books of the Year * An ALSC Notable Children's Book of the Year * A CCBC Choices Pick of the Year * Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year *

This heartfelt story celebrates the small moments that make memories last a lifetime.

• A Heartfelt Grandmother-Granddaughter Story: Follow along as a young girl treasures the annual visit from her lola, who travels all the way from the Philippines.
• Celebrating Filipino Culture: Explore the tastes and sounds of heritage, from the smell of mango jam and cassava cake to lola's quiet singing in Tagalog.
• A Beautifully Illustrated Sensory Book: An evocative journey through the smells and tastes of summer, showing how scent can be a powerful reminder of family and love.
• Bittersweet Goodbyes: A tender look at saying goodbye at the end of the season and finding ways to keep loved ones close, even when they are far away.