Veena and the Red Roti: A Story of Hope During Partition

Gr 1-4–When Veena’s family is forced to leave their home during the partition of India and Pakistan, they find themselves in an unfamiliar place without food, jobs, or a home. Veena decides that the best way she can help is by making food from home: roti. Even though the roti is different, she makes it with love and care; people appreciate her efforts. Eventually, her family finds a more permanent home, and Veena’s delicious roti come with them. The illustrations for the story are simple but show the deep emotions that are portrayed, from early fear to the comfort of familiar food and the joy and hope that comes with resilience. This story requires background context for those unfamiliar with partition and its upheaval and consequences. Though the picture book format may be a hard sell for them, this title is probably better suited to middle grade readers who will have some world history background knowledge for it to make sense.