Looking for children's books abou multicultural family dinners and food traditions represented at the family dinner table? Living away from family can be particularly difficult around the holidays. A Sunday roast with my family gathered around is the thing that I miss the most from home in the UK. But if you look closely, my family overseas are still represented at my dinner table here in Japan. We have my Great Grandmother's and Nan's cutlery, we have special trifle decorations from my mother and hand embroidered napkins from Nanma. I have recipes passed down through the generations too. These books children's books about family meals and traditions delight in sharing the joys of a big family dinner table and their unique food traditions.
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Duck For Turkey Day by Jacquelin Jules
In a Duck For Turkey Day Tuyet's teacher calls thanks giving "turkey day" and she is worried because her Vietnamese-American family will be having duck for Thanksgiving dinner. After enjoying her Thanksgiving dinner Tuyet goes back to school and sees that a range of multicultural dishes can be served on Thanksgiving and that sharing a special meal with family is what everyone has in common. The perfect example of a childrens book celebrating diverse food traditions.
Around The Table That Grandad Built written by Melanie Heuiser Hill Illustrated by Jamie Kim
Around The Table That Grandad Built follows the rhythm of "The House That Jack Built", the family gather around the table that Grandad build each adding something special to the table like vegetables from the garden and hand sown table cloths. This books beautifully represents a multicultural family dinner, emphasizing the value of blending traditions from multiple cultures.
Thank you, Omu! Oge Mora
In Thank You Omu, Omu is cooking thick red stew, the beautiful aroma from the stew wafts down the street and many visitors come to find out what the delicious smell is. "Omu" means "queen" in the Nigerian language Igbo, in the author note Oge Mora adds that she called her Grandmother Omu. Even though Omu was saving the stew for dinner she gives stew to everyone who asks until there is none left. All the visitors return to share their own food with Omu creating a diverse feast that represents the unity found it sharing meals. The repetition of "knock, knock, knock" and the vibrant illustrations make this book great for introducing children to the concept of sharing food in a multicultural setting.
Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice By Sylvia Rosa-Casanova
In Mama Provi and The Pot of Rice Lucy has chicken pox and can't visit her grandmother, Mama Provi. Mama Provi who learned to cook for her big family growing up in Peurto Rico cooks a big pot of arroz con pollo to take to Lucy. But the pot is heavy and Lucy lives on the eighth floor. As Mama Provi pauses to rest on each floor she smells the delicious foods from the neighbours' homes and exchanges bowls of her rice for a variety of dishes. When she reaches Lucy they share a feast with a mix of dishes from all of the neighbours. This book is longer read which beautifully captures the essence of helping your neighbour and community meal sharing food.
Fry Bread A Native American Family Story by Kevin Nobel Maillard
Fry Bread A Native American Family Story starts with a family making fry bread and talking about what fry bread means. Each page starts with the phrase "Fry bread is..." and explores the importance of heritage, community and traditional food. The book loving shares the story of fry bread which serves as a symbol of Native American culture. This book also has recipe for fry bread, allowing readers to participate in learning aout cultural food traditions.
Auntie Yang's Great Soybean Picnic Written by Ginnie Lo Illustrated by Beth Lo
In Auntie Yang's Great Soybean Picnic Jinyi and her Chinese-American family are surprised to see soy beans growing in an American field instead of the corn that they ususally see. Aunty Yang is thrilled to see a reminder of her homeland and celebrates by hosting a big picnic, inviting other Chinese-American families to join them. The annual picnic becomes a significant event, representing heritage and multicultural family traditions. Based a true story of family and heritage.
Ramen For Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja
In Ramen For Everyone Hiro wants to make his Japanese Grandad's perfect ramen recipe for his seventh birthday but it doesn't turn out as planned. His father reassures him that ramen doesn't have to be perfect and helps Hiro make his own version of his Grandfather's recipe. Hiro serves up customised ramen with all of his family's favourite foods featured as toppings. This heartwarming story highlights how food traditions can be passed down through generations and adpated over time while maintaining a sense of love and heritage.
Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
In Cora Cooks Pancit Cora finally gets the chance to help her mother with the cooking. She struggles to decide which one of her favourite Filipino dishes she wants to learn how to make. Her mother tells her stories about her Grandfather as they make pancit together. Cora gets to do the grown up jobs like shredding the chicken and checking the noodles. The books ties shared family memories to the food being served.
Grandmas Tiny House Janay Brown Wood and Priscilla Burris
Grandma's Tiny House is rhyming story: one grandma, two turkeys, all the way up to thirteen nieces with fourteen honey dew melons. How will every one fit in Grandmas Tiny House? This counting book emphasizes the inclusivity of large family gatherings and coming together to share to food.
Lulu and the Hunger Monster by Erik Talkin
While other books in this list celebrate an abundance of food and heavily laden family tables Lulu and the Hunger Monster gives a realistic account of food poverty. Lulu struggles because she is hungry, she is taunted by the hunger monster who tells her friends are laughing at her when they offer to share food. She is tempted to steal food and battles with her moral compass and hunger. Lulu confides in her teacher who refers her family to the food pantry. This book addresses the topic of food insecurity and the importance of community supports. Adding another dimension to the conversation about family and food.
Special mention also to My Love For You Is Always by Gillian Sze
My Love For You Is Always doesn't feature a big family or community. The only two characters are a mother and young child. The child asks their mother "What is love?" and she answers comparing love to all of the ingredients that she is preparing for tea. "My love for you is always it goes round and round like the gold rim of your bowl."
I made a read aloud YouTube playlist for these food based family books.
English books featuring Japanese families seem to be under represented in the category of diverse family tables. What are some of your favourite books showcasing multiculture family dinners and food traditions? Post in the comments below.
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