The Mithai Box Is Not Empty

The Mithai Box Is Not Empty Written by Namrata Agarwal. Illustrated by Parvati Pillai (Holiday House Press, 2025) Mithai is well known in South Asian families. Similar to a box of chocolates, it can be gifted during a celebration or given as an expression of love or appreciation. In The Mithai Box is Not Empty, we see how Ria hosts a chai party to welcome her grandparents, and finds it difficult (with her faithful and hungry dog, Cheetah) to resist the mithai box. As often happens when grandparents come to visit, Ria’s grandparents have a story and a surprise for her. With beautiful and engaging illustrations, Ria’s grandparents  provide a rich narrative about mithai, generosity, and the connection among culture, religion, and Ria’s chai party.