12 Books About Food and Family
Family Literacy Day is a special event takes place every year on January 27 to raise awareness about the importance of reading and learning together as a family. This year’s theme is “Make mealtime family learning time.”
To help you with your mealtime learning journey, here are 12 recommendations for books about food and family:
The Antiracist Kitchen (Ages 9-12)
“What if talking about racism was as easy as baking a cake, frying plantains or cooking rice? The Antiracist Kitchen: 21 Stories (and Recipes) is a celebration of food, family, activism and resistance in the face of racism. In this anthology featuring stories and recipes from 21 diverse and award-winning North American children's authors, the authors share the role of food in their lives and how it has helped fight discrimination, reclaim culture and celebrate people with different backgrounds.”
Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock (Ages 3-5)
“Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock highlights the importance of collaboration and seeking guidance from one's community, while introducing the Cree words for different animals and baking ingredients. Find a pronunciation guide and the recipe for Kôhkum’s world-famous bannock in the back of the book.”
Granny’s Kitchen (Ages 3-6)
“Shelly-Ann lives with her Granny on the beautiful island of Jamaica. When Shelly-Ann becomes hungry, she asks her Granny for something to eat. Granny tells her, “Gyal, you betta can cook!” and teaches Shelly-Ann how to get in touch with her Jamaican roots through the process of cooking.”
Our Ancestors' Kitchen (Ages 4-7)
“It’s a special day: the young protagonist in this memorable story is learning her grandfather’s favourite recipe from her grandmother! As each ingredient is prepared for this special dish, readers will be eager to follow along as they are transported back to each instance of gathering, hunting, and harvesting foods in the traditional ways throughout the seasons.”
Our Little Kitchen (Ages 4-7)
“A crew of resourceful neighbours come together to prepare a meal for their community. With a garden full of produce, a joyfully chaotic kitchen and a friendly meal shared at the table, Our Little Kitchen is a celebration of full bellies and people looking out for one another.”
Patty Dreams (Ages 4-7)
“At his home in Jamaica, August wakes up every morning to the delicious smell of patties. His parents’ patty stand used to be popular, but Jamaica is changing. August’s friends are leaving, and the patties aren’t selling like they used to. Soon, it’s his family’s turn to say goodbye. Off they fly to cold, snowy Toronto, where August’s father takes a job at a cookie factory and comes home too tired to make his beloved patties.”
The Pie Reports (Ages 6-8)
“Noor and Granddad love pie. Lemon meringue, blueberry crisp, chocolate cream...they have a pie for every occasion and spend a wonderful summer together trying each one. When vacation ends, Noor must say goodbye and fly home. But despite an ocean of distance between them, and Granddad's declining health, the pair continue to connect through their shared passion for pastry by meeting for video chats.”
A Recipe for Rhyme and Rescue (Ages 7-13)
“United by a love of food and a passion for words, Darla and the Food Poets meet at Carol’s Café every week. There they exchange poetry inspired by community and cookery and share these poems with Carol’s customers. As the group drifts through lazy summer days, sharing poem after poem, Darla notes in her grandmother’s book how food brings people together and lights up her imagination.”
Salma the Syrian Chef (Ages 4-7)
“All Salma wants is to make her mama smile again. Between English classes, job interviews, and missing Papa back in Syria, Mama always seems busy or sad. A homemade Syrian meal might cheer her up, but Salma doesn’t know the recipe, or what to call the vegetables in English, or where to find the right spices! Luckily, the staff and other newcomers at the Welcome Center are happy to lend a hand—and a sprinkle of sumac.”
Sometimes I Eat with My Hands (Ages 3-6)
“The little girl in this story, Feven, along with her little brother, isn’t afraid of trying new foods like broccoli, watermelon and mac-and-cheese. But for each meal she needs to decide: should she use utensils, or is this a food to eat with her hands? Each meal is an opportunity to learn and play. When Grandma comes to visit, the whole family gathers around the dinner table to eat injera, an Ethiopian and Eritrean flatbread. And Feven knows just what to do.”
Sundays Are for Feasts (Ages 3-6)
“Every summer, Yasmine visits her family in Lebanon, and every Sunday, the whole family comes over for lunch. This summer Sunday, Yasmine is making the hummus!
Sundays Are for Feasts is a celebration of how meals can bring family together, and the importance of making your own traditions. Includes an author’s note, glossary of Arabic terms used in the story and a recipe for hummus!”
Waiting for Tomorrow (Ages 4-8)
“Appa is coming home tomorrow after a long time away, and sisters Haejin and Hanna want to make something very special to greet his return. They spend the day preparing their favourite treat—hotteok, a brown-sugar-filled Korean pancake. But when their batter is ruined, how will they make something special for tomorrow?”