Quiet Time with My Seeya

A lush and endearing picture book about the special days a child spends with her Sinhalese grandfather, her Seeya, despite their language barrier.

Sometimes, the moments that Sona spends with her seeya are quiet. They speak different languages and don’t always use words. But they do communicate in other ways.

Sometimes, they’re loud. They play dress-up, stomp in puddles, and pretend to be puppies. They cook pittu, tease each other when they’re messy, and read to each other, even though they might not understand what the other is saying.

Any time that Sona and Seeya share is special, whether quiet or loud, because they get to spend it together.

Dinalie Dabarera’s debut picture book is an achingly tender meditation on the unconditional love that can transcend all languages.