Mustafa’s Mithai

K-Gr 2–Mustafa hankers for mithai, the catchall South Asian term for sweets reserved for special occasions. With no mithai-worthy celebrations on the horizon, Mustafa proposes to “celebrate a regular day” so he can get his sugary fix. With Ammi’s approval, Mustafa invites four friends for a playdate called “Mithai with Mustafa.” When Mustafa discovers that his friends have never tried mithai before, he matches his friends with a treat perfectly suited to each of them—for example, Beau gets a jalebi, which is his favorite color, orange. Through this exercise, readers learn about the qualities of a range of mithai, from syrupy to fluffy. Digital illustrations accurately convey the enticing diversity of color and shape represented by Mustafa’s box of mithai, as well as the joy they bring those partaking in the sweet delights. As a helpful addendum, an author’s note describes the origin of mithai in South Asia and the important role they play in celebrations.