Where Three Oceans Meet

by Rajani LaRocca

Sejal, Mommy, and Pati travel together to the southern tip of India. Along the way, they share meals, visit markets, and catch up with old friends. For Pati, the trip retraces spaces she knows well. For Mommy, it’s a return to the place she grew up. For Sejal, it’s a discovery of new sights and sounds.

The family finds their way to Kanyakumari, where three oceans meet, delighting in making it to the end of the Earth together. This own-voices story celebrates the beauty of India and the enduring love of family.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, India, Travel, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Audible Audio

First published August 24, 2021

About the author

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young people, including Red, White, and Whole, which won a 2022 Newbery Honor, the Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, and New England Book Award. Her other books include: Midsummer’s Mayhem (2019), Seven Golden Rings (2020), Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers (2021), Much Ado About Baseball (2021), Where Three Oceans Meet (2021), My Little Golden Book About Kamala Harris (2021), The Secret Code Inside You (2021), I'll Go and Come Back (2022), and more. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now she is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. To connect with Rajani and learn more about her and her books visit her at www.RajaniLaRocca.com and on Twitter and Instagram @rajanilarocca.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Three Oceans meet is about a family that makes the decision to visit Kanyakumari which is the point where three oceans meet. While this story at first appears to simply focus on family members taking a trip, it becomes so much more. The vibrant colors and illustrations capture the various places that Sejal visits with her family including, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, and Coimbatore. It is through their final visit to Kanyakumari that readers begin to understand that this is about the ties that families have together even when their separated by thousands of miles. The three oceans then become reminiscent of the three generations (Sejal, her mother, and grandmother) that are tied together by their love and shared experiences. Overall, I thought that this was a great picture book. The illustrations with bright/vibrant colors add a flare to the story that makes the reader want to travel.

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join a grandmother, mother, and granddaughter that travel much of India together to ultimately visit Kanyakumari, the very Southern tip of India where three oceans meet. This book is a wonderful multigenerational tale about an Indian-American family reconnecting with their family in India and making time for connecting. The story is simple yet sweet and the illustrations are vibrant. I loved reading this book to my kids as it gave them a glimpse into another culture and their traditions. Definitely recommend!

Find it today: https://ent.sharelibraries.info/clien...

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a young girl who travels with her mother and grandmother to Kanyakumari at the very tip of India, where they say three oceans meet—the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea. It's a story about the sights and sounds and foods and people they encounter along the way, but also about how the girl, Sejal, learns about the love and strength that mothers and daughters share across distance and across time. Inspired by a trip I took with my own family as a child, this book is very close to my heart, and the wonderful illustrator, Archana Sreenivasan, feels the same about the art she created for this story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sejal, her mother, and grandmother decide on a vacation destination: where 3 rivers meet at the tip of India. They visit family, eat traditional foods, and visit attractions along the way. Illustrations are joyful. Author and illustrator notes tie the book to their own family experiences.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface, this book is about a seemingly simple journey that a grandmother, mother, and granddaughter take to visit the "place where three oceans meet" at the tip of India. But during this journey, the story winds through deep themes of family bonds, immigration and what it means to belong to two places, and the cultural differences and changes that brings about. Most of all, the story beautifully celebrates the strength and the comfort of simply being together as a family. The illustrations are charming and vibrant, and add to the characterization of this loving family group. Truly, one of the best books I've read in 2021.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about a little girl traveling to new places in southern India. I hadn't realized there is a special place in India where people can go to see where the 3 ocean (Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal) meet.

The illustrations are also created by one who is familiar with the area and traditions so make them even authentic.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We decide to travel to the very tip of India, where three oceans meet.”

Three generations of women (“One who lives in India, one who moved to America, one who belongs to both.”) plan a trip together to the tip of India. They travel by car, train and boat. They enjoy the tastes, the sights, and the sounds of India. They visit friends and family along the way. And when they arrive at their destination, they are “three entwined as one, stronger than any alone.”

A beautiful story about the joy of family.

[Abby Johnson]

A gorgeous picture book about an Indian-American family visiting India together. A celebration of culture, homecoming, and exploration all in one.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this picture book is amazing. Sejal, her mom, and her grandmother, journey together to the southern tip of India where 3 bodies of water meet. Along the way, they share meals, visit family and friends, take in the mesmerizing sights, collecting memories that will stay with them forever. The art is gorgeous.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join a grandmother, mother, and granddaughter that travel much of India together to ultimately visit Kanyakumari, the very Southern tip of India where three oceans meet. This book is a wonderful multigenerational tale about and Indian-American family reconnecting with their family in India and making time for connecting. The story is simple yet sweet and the illustrations are vibrant. I loved reading this book to my kids as it gave them a glimpse into another culture and their traditions. Definitely recommend!

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this intergenerational road trip travel story!

[Renn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about family beyond language and cultural barriers. It features three generations of women young and old in India who are planning a vacation to Kanyakumari—the place where the land ends and three oceans meet.

It’s happy and comforting. I love stories that feature the strength and bond of family. It’s also really well-written. My favorite picture books are ones that have rhythm and cadence, like this one.

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming story about a girl who travels to India w/ her mom to visit her grandmother. Together, they take a trip to the tip of India where three oceans meet. They travel by car, train, and boat, while enjoying the sights, sounds, and foods they encounter along the way. The illustrations are vibrant and beautiful.
A lovely story about the joy of family and culture.

[Anita Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done. Made us want to travel to the place where three oceans meet!

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate so much with this book. Coming from a different country and culture myself, I can relate with Sejal's mother. I myself am trying to pass my home language to my own kids while my family in my home country do not speak any English. When Sejal is communicating with her grandmother through gestures, I could record my own son trying to communicate with his cousins, his grandmother, and his great-grandmother when we were overseas visiting. just like Sejal's mother and grandmother I was trying to show my son places I grew up, meeting people, and eating food that was part of my childhood. "Where Three Oceans Meet" is great book and reminded me of so many good memories.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

LaRocca tells a sweet story of a young girl and her mother traveling from America to Bangalore, India to meet with the girl’s grandmother and together the three, Sejal, Mommy, and Pati travel east and then south, visiting family and friends and seeing the sights in Chebbai, Coimbatore, and Maduri until they arrive at Kanyakumari at the very tip of the subcontinent where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal converge.

Sreenivasan’s beautifully colored digitally rendered illustrations convey the brightness and beauty of the family trip.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/2/2022 ~ Three generations travel through southern India to the point where the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea meet. Pati (grandma) lives in Bangalore, India, Mommy grew up in Bangalore and moved to the United States, and Sejal is Indian American. This book is a fictionalized retelling of a trip the author went on when she was young. Don't miss the map at the end!

I will definitely be adding this book to the collection of my elementary library.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about three generations of women, each different in their own way and how they come together during a trip to the very tip of India. The grandmother, mother, and daughter trio tour through India giving the reader a peek at the rich culture and scenery of India. The language is gorgeous, the story is gorgeous, the illustrations are gorgeous! Where Three Oceans Meet is a must read!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sejal, Mommy, and Pati travel to the spot in India where three oceans meet. Each has a goal for the journey. As they travel together, the three eat together, shop in the markets, and spend time with their friends. The story culminates in their arrival, together, at the spot where the three oceans meet.

Beautiful story that resonates even more deeply with me after a second and third reading.

[Erika Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely story! The strong connection between grandmother, mother, and daughter is so beautifully depicted via the illustrations and the metaphors included in the narrative. Definitely a story that will appeal to children and grandchildren of immigrants, but also any child with a family full of love.

[Jennifer Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of a mother, grandmother, and daughter who travel together across India, to the place "where three oceans meet". I love that there is a map in the back so we can see where they traveled.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made ME want to go to the end of the earth where three oceans meet. Such fabulous sensory detail, and the illustrations are so gorgeous! I loved SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS from this same duo, and thus had high expectations for this book. It didn't disappoint!

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations to go with this lovely inter generational story. The author's and illustrator's notes in the back are great and the map or their travels will generate a lot of further discussion as well. Great book for kids to another culture and family dynamics.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, fascinating, and heart-warming story about an inter-generational trip to India. The story is sweet and the illustrations are luscious.

[Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She’s just like me!” is what I kept thinking while reading Where Three Oceans Meet, and I’m not even from India! In this book, a young girl, along with her mom and grandmother, decides to go on a trip to the tip of India, which is a place where three oceans meet. She hopes to see what is “at the end of the earth.” As they pack for their trip and begin traveling, we see many different aspects of Indian culture, from their clothing to their food, as well as their lifestyle. During the trip, the main character gets sick, and a bittersweet moment is shared between all three characters, showing that this trip brought them together after not being able to spend time with each other the way they all wish they could have. After the main character recovers, they continue their journey, showing us a few more aspects of Indian culture, until they finally reach the tip of India. The main character finally reached the end of the earth, and it is here that she sees “three oceans meeting”, which represents her, her mom, and her grandmother. Just like the three oceans, they are also “three entwined as one, stronger than any alone.” The major themes in the book were familial love and strength in unity. The theme of familial love is apparent because the characters have meaningful conversations throughout their trip, they support each other throughout the trip, and enjoy spending time together. When the main character gets sick, they talk about how much they missed each other and wish they could spend more time together. Another way the theme of familial love is portrayed is when Pati peels and feeds the girl a musambi piece by piece. I don’t know if this happens in other cultures, but in Desi culture, parents often peel and cut fruit for their children as a way to express their love for them. The theme of strength in unity is demonstrated through the three characters staying together throughout the whole trip and supporting each other when the main character got sick. It is also communicated through the last line of the book, which mentions how the “three oceans” are much stronger intertwined than on their own. The main genre of this book is contemporary realistic fiction. Children reading this book could learn a lot about Indian culture. Firstly, they could learn about the different styles of clothing that Indian women wear. The book shows Mommy and Pati’s saris, and explains how they are very long, made of silk, and can have many different designs on them. The illustrations also show different styles of Indian clothing. This could help children learn that there are different types of clothing worn in different parts of the world. Another thing children could learn about is the different types of food eaten in India, like dosa and ghee. Learning about Indian culture could help children learn to become more empathetic, accepting, and understanding of others. This book was a WOW book for me because it had so many parallels to my own life. Even though I am Pakistani, I was so happy to see so many elements of my culture mentioned in this book. The illustrations also look exactly like Pakistan and India. The young girl, her mommy, and Pati remind me of me, my mom, and my grandmother. For example, the young girl and her mother speak to each other in English, while her mom and grandmother speak to each other in Tamil. The most touching part was when Pati, Mommy, and the young girl talked about how hard it is living life away from each other. This reminded me of how sad I feel that my grandma, mom, and I are not able to live together. The young girl says, “I never want this trip to end,” which shows how precious the time they have together is. Whenever I am in Pakistan with my mom and grandmother, I also wish for our trip to never end.

One literary device the author used in writing this book is symbolism. The three oceans are a symbol for the three characters: the girl, her mommy, and her Pati. At the end of the book, the three girls stand together, looking at the three oceans standing together. This added to the quality of the book because it gave it a deeper meaning and helped convey one of the major themes of the book: that strength is in unity. Another literary device the author used in writing this book is setting. The story takes place in India, so everything matches how it would be in India. For example, they ride in a car with a driver, because that is the norm in India. This enhanced the quality of the book because it made me feel as if I was actually in India; it allowed readers to enter the world of the main character. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it reflects the lived experiences of the author and includes positive portrayals of Indian people and cultures. The characters are non-stereotypical and authentic. The author teaches us about Indian culture and includes words like “ghee,” “dosa,” “sari,” and “lehenga.”

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book, especially the way it features three generation of women – grandmother, mother, and daughter. I’m drawn to all the sets of three that appear throughout: the three main characters, the three languages they speak together, the three oceans they visit, the three different ways they season their dosas, the three strands that make a braid, and many other threes that readers will enjoy discovering. Throughout the story, as Pati (grandma), Mommy, and Sejal (daughter) travel to the southern tip of India, we see the small differences between them but also the many threads that connect them. Readers in the know will enjoy a few dialogue bubbles depicting the different languages they’re speaking at home. The illustrations are also stunning; my favorites were shopping for bangles and packing up colorful saris for the trip. The author’s and illustrator’s notes at the end of the book give readers insight into the story that will have them rereading to seek out those details! There are so many reasons to read this book with children, but since I’m going with the theme of threes, I’ll share my top three: 1) the multigenerational love that shines through this story, 2) the joys of adventure/travel with family (even a map of all the places the characters visit!), and 3) the theme of belonging to more than one place and culture.

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET is a beautiful picture book. Sejal travels to India with her mom and grandma (Pati), visiting friends, relatives, temples, and natural scenery. What I really love about this book is that it introduces another culture to American children and reveals how a blending of cultures makes us stronger. LaRocca was able to do that by using the number three throughout the book: 3 languages, 3 strands of a braid, and three oceans.

This book is illustrated vividly with bright colors. At the very end of the book, I was amazed that the illustrator, Archana Sreenivasan, actually used Pati’s sari designs from her own grandmother’s saris. Sreenivasan’s eye for details is magnificent; she remembered not just the colors but also the designs.

When I read about the mother eating dosa with lemon pickle, I could actually taste it and it even made me start thinking of one of my own favorites: mango pickle in oil! I think one of the best things that this PB incorporated was a map at the end that showed the portion of India where the family traveled and provided notes about each place, recapping those events for young readers.

This is an exquisite book and I hope that adults will buy this book for children. Doing so should really help to expand their horizons and their understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

[Sandhya Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely delightful read. Sejal is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Kanyakumari, on the tip of India, where three oceans meet. Though the book is about Sejal, Sejal’s mother, and her grandma, Pati, traveling, the author magically takes the reader too on this exciting trip. I felt like I was with Sejal packing her things for the trip, taking a car, a train, a boat, meeting friends and places, and eating delicious foods. And then in the end, as they look upon the three oceans come together, we realize it was always about Sejal and her family coming together too. I also love how all the references to clothes, food, places were so familiar to me - I had an instant feeling of home. My favorite page was the one where Sejal and her Paati are communicating in a mish-mash of words and gestures. Sejal explaining that her mouth is on fire after eating something spicy, maybe the pickles on the table, and Paati bringing a glass of water in a steel tumbler connected with me so much, made it real. A masterfully written book that will delight children and adults.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book travel story of a grandma, daughter, and granddaughter who go on a trip together to visit old friends, see new sights, and create memories together.

Such a fun and sweet multi-generational family road trip. It helps make southern India come to life, and celebrates the sights and sounds of India and time with family. There's a helpful map of the family's travels in the back of the book for those not super familiar with India's geography. Definitely read the author and illustrator's notes in the back of the book about how this allowed them to share about their own family experiences. How amazing is it that we live in a time that allows two women living on opposites sides of the globe to collaborate on one book. LaRocca has written a loving travel tale that had me reminiscing about my own special trip with my Mom and Grandma one summer, and Sreenivasan brought it to life with vibrant colors and rich details that make India spring to life on the page.