Tea with Milk is a gentle and heartfelt story about finding your place in the world. It’s based on the real-life experiences of Allen Say’s mother, May, who grows up in California feeling completely at home until her family moves back to Japan after she finishes high school. Suddenly, everything is different. May, who speaks English and loves her American way of life, now feels like an outsider in a place that’s supposed to be home.

May’s struggle to fit in is something many readers will connect with; having to choose between what your family expects and what you truly want. Her journey to independence and carving out a life that blends both her Japanese heritage and American upbringing feels inspiring and relatable.

Allen Say’s watercolor illustrations add another layer of beauty to the story. From the familiar streets of San Francisco to the tea houses and cityscapes of Japan, the art captures May’s changing world with grace and authenticity. The cultural details such as dress, architecture, customs, are handled with care, giving readers an honest look at both cultures.

At its heart, Tea with Milk celebrates diversity and the idea that we don’t have to choose just one identity. For May, belonging comes from creating a life that honors all parts of who she is. It’s a hopeful, empowering message that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt caught between two worlds.

Related Books:

• Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
• A Place Where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai
• My Name Is Yoon by Helen Recorvits
• Drawn Together by Minh Lê

Classroom or Library Activities:

• Identity Map: Have students create a visual “map” of the different parts of their identity and how they fit together.
• Cultural Contrast Discussion: Compare May’s life in California with her life in Japan, encouraging discussion about what shapes our sense of home.
• Illustration Study: Examine Say’s watercolors to explore how setting and emotion are expressed through art.
• Personal Reflection Writing: Invite students to write about a time they felt out of place and how they found belonging.
• Family Storytelling: Encourage students to ask family members about their own journeys or cultural traditions and share them with the class.

Tea with Milk is a heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and the courage to create a life that honors all parts of who you are. With its evocative illustrations and universal themes, it’s a valuable addition to any classroom or library collection focused on cultural understanding and self-discovery.