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The Mithai Box Is Not Empty
This delicious sweet picture book celebrates the joys (and rewards) of sharing. . . and delectable Indian desserts!
Ria wants to be the best chai party host to impress her grandparents, who are visiting all the way from India. She even shares her precious mithai box of her favorite sweet, motichoor ladoo, with the whole family. After all, her grandparents always taught her “Atithi devo bhava, like God we welcome our guests with warmth and respect.”
Everyone loves the motichoor ladoo. And Ria is happy that everyone else is happy. But as the ladoo disappears, she worries that there will be none left for her. What good is being the best host if Ria doesn’t get to have fun too?
But her grandmother has a surprise. . .one last motichoor ladoo!
Sharing has never been so sweet! The Mithai Box Is Not Empty celebrates the joys of generosity, but reminds us not to forget our own happiness. An author’s note on mithais and a matching mithai game are included in the back of the book.
Ria wants to be the best chai party host to impress her grandparents, who are visiting all the way from India. She even shares her precious mithai box of her favorite sweet, motichoor ladoo, with the whole family. After all, her grandparents always taught her “Atithi devo bhava, like God we welcome our guests with warmth and respect.”
Everyone loves the motichoor ladoo. And Ria is happy that everyone else is happy. But as the ladoo disappears, she worries that there will be none left for her. What good is being the best host if Ria doesn’t get to have fun too?
But her grandmother has a surprise. . .one last motichoor ladoo!
Sharing has never been so sweet! The Mithai Box Is Not Empty celebrates the joys of generosity, but reminds us not to forget our own happiness. An author’s note on mithais and a matching mithai game are included in the back of the book.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2025
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 19, 2025
In a Nutshell: A picture book focussed on a little girl who takes the philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ too seriously. I liked the story and the illustrations, but didn’t love them. There was room for improvement in both. Still, recommended to those who wish to read about this traditional Indian approach towards welcoming guests.
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Plot Preview:
Ria is a sweet character. I love how sincere she is in her role as the hostess. She also listens to her elders with respect and helps her mom ready the house for guests. An ideal Indian child, haha! Her sidekick, Cheetah the dog, was hilarious – a good addition in the background scenes.
I do not have a sweet tooth. Most store-bought Indian desserts are overly sweet (for my preference), so I have only a couple of favourite mithais. But even I, with my fondness for savoury foodstuffs, can vouch for the variety of Indian desserts. It was a treat to see a book highlight our mithai box, an ordinary box containing an extraordinary assortment of mixed sweets. It is a standard gift item during festivals and visits to relatives. The contents of the box in this book made me hungry!
‘Atithi devo bhava’ is the way of life here, no matter which part of the country we come from or which religion we belong to. When guests come home, they get the royal treatment. However, this doesn’t equate to ‘Give guests everything even if you don’t have anything left for yourselves.’ The book rightly points out that it means “sharing” what you have. But the inherent meaning of sharing is “keep some for yourself and give some to others”; it’s a joint endeavour. While the book does have a happy ending for Ria, I wish she had listened to the aunt who told her to eat a laddoo before they ran out. Self-care is also important.
The illustrations were good to some extent. I liked Ria’s sparkly gold earrings and her flowy dupatta. Dadi is adorable, traditional with her saree and bindi but also quite mod with her medium bobbed hair and cat-eye frames. However, the colour tone is somehow brown-dominant, and I don’t say this because of the many brown people in the book. Cheetah the dog is brown, as is Ria’s kurti (a mustard brown). Many of the dishes such as the samosas and the bakharwadis are in brown hues, as is most of the furniture and also the upholstered armchair in the background. I know some of these actually belong to the brown family shade, but perhaps variables such as Ria’s outfit and the armchair could have been in different colours.
The book ends with a sweet note by the author detailing how the story came into being. There is also a list of Indian mithais and a mithai-matching game. A glossary explains the meaning of all Indian words used in the story.
Overall, while I didn’t like the story as much as I had expected, I did like its intent and its focus on the Indian approach towards guests. I just wish it passed on a better lesson about sharing.
Recommended to those interested in a culturally-inclusive picture book. The language and content would be great for readers aged 4 to 7 years.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Holiday House and Peachtree for providing the DRC of “The Mithai Box Is Not Empty” via Edelweiss+. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Plot Preview:
Ria is very excited to see her paternal grandparents who are coming for a visit after two years all the way from India. She wants to have the perfect chai party to celebrate. Baba and Dadi arrive, as expected, with plenty of gifts for Ria, including a mithai (sweets) box. Ria is very excited!
Soon, the other guests start arriving for the chai party. Ria’s grandparents have taught her the traditional Indian philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (We welcome our guests like they are gods), so Ria is determined to become the best hostess for this party, even if it means offering them some of those tasty mithais to the visitors. But soon the mithai start running out… Will Ria get a taste of the mithai before it is too late?
Ria is a sweet character. I love how sincere she is in her role as the hostess. She also listens to her elders with respect and helps her mom ready the house for guests. An ideal Indian child, haha! Her sidekick, Cheetah the dog, was hilarious – a good addition in the background scenes.
I do not have a sweet tooth. Most store-bought Indian desserts are overly sweet (for my preference), so I have only a couple of favourite mithais. But even I, with my fondness for savoury foodstuffs, can vouch for the variety of Indian desserts. It was a treat to see a book highlight our mithai box, an ordinary box containing an extraordinary assortment of mixed sweets. It is a standard gift item during festivals and visits to relatives. The contents of the box in this book made me hungry!
‘Atithi devo bhava’ is the way of life here, no matter which part of the country we come from or which religion we belong to. When guests come home, they get the royal treatment. However, this doesn’t equate to ‘Give guests everything even if you don’t have anything left for yourselves.’ The book rightly points out that it means “sharing” what you have. But the inherent meaning of sharing is “keep some for yourself and give some to others”; it’s a joint endeavour. While the book does have a happy ending for Ria, I wish she had listened to the aunt who told her to eat a laddoo before they ran out. Self-care is also important.
The illustrations were good to some extent. I liked Ria’s sparkly gold earrings and her flowy dupatta. Dadi is adorable, traditional with her saree and bindi but also quite mod with her medium bobbed hair and cat-eye frames. However, the colour tone is somehow brown-dominant, and I don’t say this because of the many brown people in the book. Cheetah the dog is brown, as is Ria’s kurti (a mustard brown). Many of the dishes such as the samosas and the bakharwadis are in brown hues, as is most of the furniture and also the upholstered armchair in the background. I know some of these actually belong to the brown family shade, but perhaps variables such as Ria’s outfit and the armchair could have been in different colours.
The book ends with a sweet note by the author detailing how the story came into being. There is also a list of Indian mithais and a mithai-matching game. A glossary explains the meaning of all Indian words used in the story.
Overall, while I didn’t like the story as much as I had expected, I did like its intent and its focus on the Indian approach towards guests. I just wish it passed on a better lesson about sharing.
Recommended to those interested in a culturally-inclusive picture book. The language and content would be great for readers aged 4 to 7 years.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Holiday House and Peachtree for providing the DRC of “The Mithai Box Is Not Empty” via Edelweiss+. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
September 30, 2025
When her grandparents arrive from India for a visit, Ria is so delighted, especially since they have gifts, including a box of her favorite sweets. But being an obedient and respectful child, she shares the motichoor ladoos with the many guests who arrive to welcome Baba and Dadi. As the box of delicacies begins to empty, Ria wonders about balancing the need to welcome her guests with warmth and respect and satisfying her own sweet tooth. Thank goodness that Dadi has the solution to her dilemma. The digital artwork captures the excitement and growing concern of Ria as well as the rich elements of her family's culture. What a lovely custom--to fill a mithai box with treats to share! Our custom of bringing boxes of Russell Stovers candies as housewarming gifts pales in comparison.
September 29, 2025
This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about celebration, sharing, and generosity. A multigenerational story about Ria whose grandparents are visiting from India and the special mithai box filled with delicious desserts to share. But sometimes sharing can be hard to do, especially for children, who will find kindness in this sweet story. I couldn't wait to share this book with my grandson.
October 9, 2025
Ria gives out sweets from her special mithai box when her grandparents visit from India. But will there be anything left for her in the end? With colorful illustrations and a heartwarming story, this book celebrates kindness, sharing, and an interesting look at Indian culture, plus a reminder that it’s good to treat yourself, too! The author includes a note on mithais and a matching mithai game at the back of the book. A wonderful book and highly recommended!
October 10, 2025
Ria’s grandparents are visiting from India and she wants to host the perfect chai party! Ria offers a special mithai box to her family members and neighbors just like her Dadi taught her, but as the box gets emptier and emptier she worries there won’t be any left for her. With gorgeous, expressive art by Parvati Pillai and lovely, kid-relatable text by Namrata Agarwal, THE MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY is a wonderful picture book about traditions, sharing, kindness, and community!
October 11, 2025
A cute story about what sharing means. I love that Ria learns there is a balance between keeping for yourself and giving to others, but also that when she gives it brings her joy. This book does a great job of making the complexities of the topic easy to understand.
It is also a fun dive right into the culture with words as well as clothing, customs, and religion. There were so many new ideas for me to learn. The illustrations are beautiful, bright, and fun!
It is also a fun dive right into the culture with words as well as clothing, customs, and religion. There were so many new ideas for me to learn. The illustrations are beautiful, bright, and fun!
October 19, 2025
When Ria’s grandparents visit from India, she's excited to share sweets from her special mithai box. This picture book is engaging and features vibrant illustrations and a tender narrative. It also offers a joyful celebration of kindness, generosity, and Indian culture. An informative author’s note on mithai and an engaging matching game at the end provide a thoughtful and interactive finishing touch that kids and families will love!
November 15, 2025
When Ria’s grandparents come from India to visit, Ria receives a box of sweet treats--a Mithai Box. She can't wait to try one, but she remembers the importance of honoring guests and offers them to everyone else. She sees them disappear, one by one, and wonders if there will be one left for her. This is a beautifully illustrated story that includes a lovely message from the author at the end, as well as a glossary and info about different kinds of mithais!
October 1, 2025
I enjoyed this book about Ria, a young girl who's excited about a visit from her grandparents and motivated to follow their good example of hospitality and sharing. Ria soon discovers, however, that her selflessness leaves her missing out on a special treat. But not to worry! Ria receives heaps of praise...and a sweet reward after all.
October 3, 2025
A sweet story about sweets and sharing! Ria is a little girl learning to be a warm and welcoming host, and she does so well offering the sweet treats from the mithai box at a family gathering that she doesn't leave any for herself! Brightly illustrated, I enjoyed learning new traditions and vocabulary celebrating Indian culture.
October 10, 2025
This warm and heartfelt story reminds us that when you give you also receive. Ria struggles with whether to offer the box of sweets she cherishes to guests at her house or save them for herself. She thinks the empty box means nothing has been left for her. But there’s a sweet surprise at the end. This is a lovely story that children will want to hear again and again.
October 11, 2025
A really lovely story about a really lovely tradition, and a lesson in kindness. I adore how generously Ria shares the treats in her mithai box, a gift from her grandparents, but then there is nothing left! But the ending brings plenty of sweetness back to Ria! Agarwal's writing brings us along for a fun family gathering, and Pillai’s art is colorful and expressive.
September 19, 2025
Children will relate to young Ria who must wait for her chance to have a treat! This story about family, sharing, and delicious food is gorgeously illustrated and full of heart. The book also features an Author’s Note and facts at the back.
October 1, 2025
This is a lovely story about kindness and sharing. Ria is an endearing main character and hostess! She takes her grandmother's teachings to heart, and the reader is warmly welcomed into this joyful celebration of family, culture, and connection. I highly recommend!
October 2, 2025
This is a lovely book about family, sharing and kindness. Ria's grandparents come to visit all the way from India with a sweet gift. Ria shares the sweets with everyone, but will there be any left over for her?
October 7, 2025
A beautiful story about a girl and her love for sweets. But her love for traditions and being a good hostess is even bigger. Will she get a sweet from her box, or none will be left? A fun way to learn more about Indian culture through text and art.
October 8, 2025
A sweet story about a box of sweet treats and the endearing little girl who shares them! Messages about the importance of family, tradition, and caring for each other are lovingly shared and celebrated along with warmhearted illustrations.
October 12, 2025
The Mithai Box is Not Empty tells the story of a lovely girl who serves her guests motichoor ladoos so generously, she neglects to save one for herself. A wonderful introduction to many aspects of Indian culture. Charming illustrations and informative end matter add depth to the story.
October 16, 2025
This is a really sweet book about a girl who shares special treats contained in a mithai box gifted to her by her grandparents. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging. Kids will enjoy reading this again and again.
September 26, 2025
A very sweet story that celebrates family, Hindu customs, and the joy of sharing (while reminding readers to treat themselves too). Highly recommend!
September 28, 2025
A beautifully illustrated story about a little girl who gives all the sweets in her mithai box away, only to realise sometimes generosity is rewarded. A story replete with cultural information.
September 30, 2025
Vivid and joyful celebration of Indian culture
September 30, 2025
Gorgeous illustrations accompany a text that shows the importance of sharing and giving. I loved learning more about a chai party and mithais!
October 1, 2025
A multigenerational story about the challenges of sharing, celebration, and being generous. This beautifully illustrated picture book is a sweet story about kindness ❤️.
October 1, 2025
A gorgeous book! Made me hungry! I enjoyed learning about chai parites, too!
October 4, 2025
A "sweet" story that celebrates generosity, family, and tradition. Beautiful illustrations and a list of mithais and their descriptions are included in the back.
October 4, 2025
Relatable and uplifting story about tradition, family, generosity, patience, and the conflicting feelings that often go with hosting a family gathering.
October 7, 2025
This is a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations. I loved learning about the tradition of offering food to the God Ganesha first and how that act of selflessness is rewarded at the end.
October 7, 2025
Sweet story on sharing! Filled with love, language, and a lovely lesson. Paired beautifully with colorful and equally sweet illustrations.
October 7, 2025
Sweet story about a girl who gives away all the sweets her grandparents give her. Colorful fun illustrations and a heartwarming story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews