Last week, Maya was awarded the South Asia Book Award for Grades 5 and under. Leading to the awards ceremony, I visited the Kalamazoo Public Library and the students at Arcadia Elementary. I loved getting to know the six- and seven-year-olds, many of whom recently immigrated  as refugees or immigrants. The book had a special meaning for them as most picture books feature North American settings and characters who are either white or not human (animals, trucks). It was a reminder how books can touch young hearts in special, indefinable ways.