Stories That Bring Us Together: Children’s Books that Celebrate Food, Family and the Joy of Shared Meals

November is a time when many families come together by sharing food, honoring different cultural traditions and enjoying the togetherness that emerges when friends and families prepare and share meals. Each family has unique traditions, making them special.

When I was growing up, my family always ate green beans with freshly made red sauce. I remember helping my mom peel the skin off blanched bell peppers and tomatoes for the sauce. What I didn’t know then was that while many families were eating green bean casserole, my family was different because my grandmother was from Italy. In her small village at the base of the Dolomite mountains, beans in red sauce was a common dish, familiar to my mother and passed down to me. Knowing the roots of my family’s traditions makes me feel deeply connected to my heritage. Learning about the diverse customs in our community and discovering other families’ traditions is a delightful and enriching experience.

Here is a selection of books that share stories about families, food and connection. Many of these books include recipes and are available as eBooks through your local Tulsa City-County Library. I hope these stories inspire you and your family to discuss your cultural traditions, celebrate your unique heritage and appreciate the rich cultural histories of others!

My Food, Your Food, Our Food by Emma Carlson Berne; illustrated by Sharon Sordo

Explore the delightful diversity of our palates and the unifying fact that food nourishes us all. Discover the unique and shared aspects of our food experiences in this engaging book that celebrates our individual tastes and global cuisine.

Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging by Eric Adjepong; illustrated by Lala Watkins

As Kofi prepares a potluck lunch for his school event, his grandfather shares stories of strength and perseverance rooted in their Ghanaian ancestry. Through this journey, Kofi develops a deeper appreciation for the role of cuisine in his cultural heritage. Includes a Jollof rice recipe for readers to enjoy.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard; illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

Embracing the heartwarming Native American custom of enjoying fry bread together during family gatherings, this story beautifully weaves together themes of family bonds, cultural heritage, history and the interplay between longstanding and contemporary traditions.

I Am Thankful: A Story About Gratitude and Family by Sheri Wall; illustrated Holly Clifton-Brown

Kids learn the value of gratitude through this heartwarming, rhyming storybook about three families celebrating Thanksgiving. Emphasizing diverse traditions, kindness and giving, the book features delightful illustrations and promotes thankfulness, generosity and sharing.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

In this story, a character shares her meal with neighbors, emphasizing generosity and community. The book’s narrative, characters and illustrations promote empathy and giving, inspiring conversations about kindness and unity.

The Spice Box by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

Rishi anticipates his grandmother’s arrival from India and plans to cook a traditional curry with his father using their treasured family spice box. When Rishi accidentally drops the box, he must gather the courage to make things right, embracing their rich heritage and shared history.

Memory Jars by Vera Brosgol

Freda, inspired by her grandmother’s tradition of preserving summer blueberries, collects her own cherished moments in jars. From a chocolate chip cookie to the full moon, she captures memories to savor. The story includes a delightful blueberry jam recipe.

Dumplings for Lili by Melissa Iwai

Lili and her grandmother bond over making baos, little dumplings. Needing cabbage, Lili visits neighbors in her grandmother’s building, gathering ingredients and helping grandmothers from various cultures create dumplings like Jamaican meat patties, Italian ravioli and Lebanese fatayer. The story celebrates community and cultural exchange.

A Taste of Home by Richard Ho; illustrated by Sibu T. P.

In this story, children explore their city, meeting friends with immigrant parents and grandparents. They collect ingredients from diverse cultures and work together to cook a meal that reflects the rich cultural tapestry of their community, fostering friendship and celebrating diversity.

Sour Cherries: An Afghan Family Story by Desh Azzad; illustrated by Nan Cao

An Afghan refugee child spends a summer day picking cherries and making traditional dishes with his mother, as she once did with her own mother. They share stories of family and home, celebrating the connection between food and heritage in this heartwarming tale based on the author’s life.

Empanadas for Everyone by Jackie Azúa Kramer; illustrated by Lenny Wen

A young girl spends a weekend at her tía’s home, where she learns valuable lessons about the significance of community and discovers the joy of making empanadas.

Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner by Angela Dalton; illustrated by Jestenia Southerland

Drawing from the rich African American reunion tradition, this story follows young Ruby as she helps her family prepare food for the event. Along the way, she attempts to create her own unique dish to share.

If you want to check out these books or are looking for more books featuring family food traditions, check out this list: tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1170895197_centralchildren/2626437995