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A joyous picture book about an intergenerational Black family cooking a delicious feast and appreciating their quality time together. When it comes to a family feast, it’s all hands on deck! Big Ma and Pops have been up early in anticipation of everyone’s arrival. Aunts, uncles, and cousins gather from all over to help prepare their big meal. Clanging pots, chopping vegetables, sharing recipes, and swiping little treats are part of the fun! After the cooking is done, all of the relatives come together to pray, eat, and enjoy their special moment as a family.

The story of a solitary raccoon, the Night Chef, who finds a baby crow, locates its family, and finds community along the way. The story comes to life in lively illustrations and snappy dialog in this easier-to-read graphic novel. 

As a girl goes to the market to buy ingredients for wonton soup, she meets others in her village who give her treats. After her errand, she and her mother invite the villagers to join them for soup. The childlike, soft illustrations and simple text underscore the power of community and caring.

Potatoes have the power to feed the world according to Peruvian agronomist Alberto Salas.  Portrayed as a chubby cheeked, balding man in warm-toned illustrations, Alberto Salas travels the Andes to play paka paka (hide and seek) with wild potatoes, working with indigenous people, and trying to get ahead of climate change. Informal text is often humorous but always informative. Also available in Spanish: Alberto Salas juega a la paka paka con la papa.

A jaunty rhyme describes the pleasure of bananas starting with the smile-like shape to the and ways to eat them. Bright illustrations with an occasional die-cut enhance the feel of this bright yellow fruit.

Mouthwatering illustrations combine with brief text to chronicle the journey of some favorite through time, geography and cultures.

Join a family in rural China as they pick tea leaves and discover mountaintop treasures and surprises through realistic illustration, narrated by one of the children. 

Kadooboo! Golden brown, puffy, sweet, and crunchy, it’s fresh from the pan ― a delicious treat! As soon as it’s ready, Kabir runs home with some to share. He’s got to be quick, before the rain! But wait … can he remember the treat’s name? (His Amma is sure to ask!) As Kabir makes his way, the sights and sounds of the street and interactions with friends start to jumble his memory. This modern retelling of a South Indian folktale blends playful wordplay with delightfully quick pacing in a story about friends, family, and food ― the perfect recipe for a satisfying story time.

There are countless ways we celebrate and give to others on Thanksgiving. The goodness we share lasts the rest of the year — and sometimes for a lifetime. From joyful preparation of food, to quiet reflection honoring farmers and Native communities, to cherished moments of laughter with friends or family …   there is always room for making more memories together.

Can a road trip to odd places, with a bit of adventure and a touch of friendship help Pia heal from the loss of her brother and her family problems? This poignant story told in graphic format is visually delightful, both sad and humorous.

From an abandoned empty lot that Nevaeh called haunted, Mr. Tony and the kids from PS175 transform it into a lush garden that produces food to share. Childlike illustrations complement the gradual transformation. An author’s note includes information about Harlem Grown, the community nonprofit, as well as steps to start a garden.

For young José growing up in Spain, cooking “wasn’t just” about food, it was about people. Starting small, his work led to his establishing an NGO to help feed those in need. A fluid narration and lush illustrations present this renowned chef. Backmatter concludes this hopeful, brief biography. Also available in Spanish: Un plato de esperanza (opens in a new window).

A tender tale of a boy and his grandfather taking their produce to sell at the last market stand. When the older man is too tired to go, the boy delivers the produce to their regular customers who in turn, bring a meal made with the produce to the farm. Descriptive language is enhanced by colorful, effective illustration created by handmade stamps.

History and food combine in an attractive, illustrated, and family friendly cookbook. Additional activities are suggested including a playlist of music to which to dance! Additional information and resources about Juneteenth are included.

Abuela and the young narrator speak in recipes that they make together weekly. Lorito, his grandmother’s parrot, speaks Spanish but the boy does not. Slowly, however, he learns to roll his Rs and pick up Spanish words. Lorito flies away, but returns when the boy pronounces ingredients for arroz con leche. (The recipe is included.)

Art’s dad wakes up still feeling sluggish from his cold, so father and son go on a hunt to make a cold-fighting juice. With a bit of help from the community, a tasty, healthy juice starts dad’s recovery. Realistic illustrations complement the contemporary story which includes a juice recipe. Also available in Spanish: Jugo Fresco (opens in a new window), translated by Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz. 

Rhythmic language and irresistible photographs depict young children and animals each consuming colorful, healthy foods. Additional fruits and veggies are identified on end pages.

With Spring comes “new life and new beginnings … Nature is hard at work …”  Children and their adults can celebrate the season with a wide range of easy-to-follow activities from pressing flowers to finding edible flowers, from growing strawberries to making strawberry fruit leathers. (Part of the Little Homesteader series)

Jade is a girl who lives in two worlds and, coming from a multicultural family, she’s on a quest to understand her identity and where she truly belongs. She is trying to find her place in the world but feels different from the other kids at school. Jade’s parents have their unique approach to love and care. Sometimes Jade is embarrassed by Mama’s accent and she can’t understand why she is not just like any other mother she knows. Jade starts rebelling against her mother’s traditional ways of showing love, especially through food. It’s a struggle that takes her on a path of discovery, as she learns about her family’s rich heritage and her mother’s challenging past in Vietnam and as an immigrant. Jade then discovers that even though Mama doesn’t hug or say I love you, the healing aroma of ginger, green onions, and chicken broth does.

Sohee’s favorite part of Seollal (Lunar New Year) is tteokguk — the special Korean rice cake soup traditionally only enjoyed on New Year’s Day. Each bowl is said to make the person who eats it one year older. This year, Sohee wants to eat as many bowls as she can to finally be an eonni, or “big girl,” to her younger siblings and cousins. This funny story of a child’s journey to discover what it really means to be a big girl explores the traditions of the Korean Lunar New Year and the value of family and helpfulness. 

Jin wishes his family would ask him to help prepare the Lunar New Year feast. But boys, or Babas, never get asked ― only Nyonyas, the girls. It’s the eve of Lunar New Year, and Jin can’t wait for the big family reunion dinner. He loves the aromas and the bubbly chatter coming from the kitchen. His grandmother, Mamah, is cooking up a storm! As his aunties dice, slice, and chop, there’s nothing Jin wants more than to learn about the history of his family’s cooking and to lend them a helping hand. But his aunties shoo him away, claiming he’ll just get bored or be in the way. Luckily, Mamah steps in and asks Jin to help her prepare their special meal. Soon, Jin is squeezing, slicing, and stirring, too! This loving picture book about a young Malaysian boy who defies gender expectations will make hearts warm and stomachs hungry. 

Little Ren looks forward to the preparation for and festivities of Lunar New Year, but she is always too little to help make the delicious pineapple cakes that are her favorite. She watches family members rolling out the dough and loves the mouth-watering smell. Watching and waiting, when will Ren be old enough? Celebrate the Lunar New Year through a young girl’s family traditions in this charming picture book that includes a recipe for pineapple cakes! 

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty — but magic — wok that changes their fortunes forever. With spirited text and lively illustrations, this story reminds readers about the importance of generosity.

One toddler thinks she can get dressed all by herself but winds up needing her sister’s help. In Muy verde! / Too Green!, another child is reluctant to try a new green soup but once he does, he wants more! Both attractive board books capture familiar experiences through cheerful, expressive illustrations and short text. Both books are available in bilingual (Spanish/English) editions.