Mina vs. The Monsoon

Written by Rukhsanna Guidroz
Illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta
Published December 1, 2018

Why we chose this book:
Instagram. I saw an image posted by Yali Books for an upcoming publication that was absolutely stunning. So, I wanted to know what the book was, then what Yali Books was. They are a children's book publisher focusing on South Asia. If you've followed me this far, then you know how I value books featuring characters of different backgrounds. And if you're a new reader, I hope you'll find some new favorites and enjoy our recommendations for books that foster intercultural understanding and appreciation. Yali Books provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

When the monsoon keeps Mina indoors and off the soccer field, she finds that her mother shares her passion for the sport, and that celebrating the monsoon and soccer needn't be mutually exclusive.

Where to start? Mina vs. The Monsoon has so much to offer! Upon first look, we see a story about a girl who feels that her mother doesn't understand her love of soccer. Her mother encourages her to celebrate the monsoon instead of focusing on her disappointment at being indoors. When Mina uncovers her mother's childhood soccer jersey, the two finally bond over a shared love of soccer. They celebrate the monsoon with samosas and a muddy soccer game.

Looking at another aspect, we can see a bit of life in a northern village in India; milk is delivered by bicycle, rain falls on a tin roof, and peacocks screech outside. All of this is simply background; I didn't point out differences, but I did ask T if he noticed anything different between how he and Mina live. He could find no significant differences, but he did point out that he likes her clothes, especially what she wears when she tries to dance the rain away.  T has been to Diwali celebrations at our local museum, so has seen multiple Indian dance performances; we were able to relate Mina's dancing to those dancers and to his own dancing. Readers can easily identify with Mina. It doesn't matter that she lives half a world away from us, her feelings and activities are the same as those of children everywhere, including T.

Mina vs. The Monsoon is an easily relatable story about a child's love of soccer that will resonate with readers in any country. Oh, and the art is awesome. I love the peacocks!

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)

While reading:
Mom: Mina's elephant seems to help her. What helps you when you're upset?

Son: Doing something that's my favorite. That will ease away my upsetty.
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Mom: Mina gets her milk delivered. Are there any deliveries that you like?

Son: The mail delivery, so I always get to see what kind of mail we get.
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Mom: Do you like to dance? When?

Son: Sometimes. Ummm. Pretty much after dinner when we are cleaning up from the dinner.
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Mom: She likes to play soccer every day. Is there something that you like to do every day?

Son: Pretty much after dinner every day I like to lie down with you and do a snuggle. Snuggly buggly.

After reading:
Mom: What if Mina were real? Would you want to be friends with her?

Son: Yeah. And I would tell her, "You can't stop the rain. The rain just goes and goes until it stops."

Mom: What would you want to do together?

Son: Put on my rain suit with her. We would both put on our rain suits. We would go outside in the rain. I would make mud cakes. They are fun.

Mom: Is there something you notice that is different from how we live?

Son: I only know she lives in India and we live in the United States. That's the only thing that's different.

Mom: Did you have a favorite part of the story?

Son: Can you show me the dancing picture? I think what she wears looks pretty. The different costumes she wears look pretty.

Mom: Have you ever seen dancers like these...

Son: The yimmy!
(He went to a Diwali celebration at the museum where there were several Indian dance performances.)

Son: Someday we should eat samosas. Where could we get samosas?

Mom: Udupi.

Son: What is Udupi? Is it a restaurant? I want to go to that restaurant!

Mom: Yes. And we will. Samosas are delicious!