A Gift for Gita

Joan Buchanan is a children’s writer and storyteller. She is the
author of Taking Care of My Cold!, What If I Were in Charge?, Nothing
Else But Yams for Supper!, and The Nana Rescue.

Gita’s beloved grandmother, Naniji, is visiting from India. The story
begins at the end of her fun-filled stay, when Gita’s father is
offered a job in India. Gita reflects on her three years in Canada and
her faded memories of India. The first two Gita books (Lights for Gita,
1994, Roses for Gita, 1996) dealt with the difficulties of being a
newcomer to Canada; in this one, Gita realizes that Canada is now her
home.

Naniji gives Gita a wooden Indian nesting doll, a gift Gilmore adeptly
weaves into the plot as a metaphor for Gita’s feelings. Descriptions
are simple and eloquent. Dialogue flows naturally and sheds light on
character. Gilmore has a gift for humor, too, and manages to strike a
balance between serious feelings and those of joy and celebration. The
writing invites the reader to empathize with Gita and the rest of her
family.

Alice Priestley’s expressive illustrations complement the text well.
Borders, angles, and colors are used to good effect. The warmth of the
fall setting is achieved through a judicious use of reds, oranges, and
yellows. Highly recommended.