Culture & Cooking: Preschool Books about Diversity and Food
Amy Wu and the perfect bao
Zhang, Kat, 1991- author
2019
"Amy is determined to make a perfect dumpling like her parents and grandmother do, but hers are always too empty, too full, or not pinched together properly." --from cataloger.
Dim sum, here we come!
Lam, Maple, author, illustrator
2023
Today is Sunday and that means its dim sum time with my whole family! I can't wait to see everyone, especially Grandma. I'm going to eat lots of shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and my favorite--char siu buns. We will have to order enough for us all to share. So what are you waiting for? Dim sum, here we come!
Fry bread : a Native American family story
Maillard, Kevin Noble, author
2019
Using illustrations that show the diversity in Native America and spare poetic text that emphasizes fry bread in terms of provenance, this volume tells the story of a post-colonial food that is a shared tradition for Native American families all across the North American continent. Includes a recipe and an extensive author note that delves into the social ways, foodways, and politics of America's 573 recognized tribes.
Hot pot night
Chen, Vincent, 1996- author, illustrator
2020
In this version of the classic Stone Soup tale, nobody in the apartment building has enough ingredients for dinner, so a Taiwanese child suggests that they have a community hot pot night. Everybody contributes something, bringing their diverse community together for a delicious meal. Includes a recipe for hot pot.
Little dumplings
Kuhlmann, Jekka, author
2023
"A board book celebrating dumplings from all over the world"-- Provided by publisher.
Lunch from home
Stein, Joshua David, author
2022
When Ray, Preeti, Mina, and Niki bring their favorite lunches to school, their classmates scrunch their noses and act disgusted, but the four children learn to stand up for their lunches and cultural backgrounds. Based on the real-life childhood experiences of chefs Ray Garcia, Preeti Mistry, Mina Park, and Niki Russ Federman.
Plume : global nibbler
McCartney, Tania, 1968- author, illustrator.
2022
All the way at the bottom of the world, you'll find an adorable penguin who's a little bit different from your typcial Antarctic penguin. His name is Plume. Plume loves food. But while his penguin friends like to hunt slippery fish and slimy squid, Plume prefers a world of tongue-tingling delights. Can he hunt down the most scrumptious flavours on Earth and convince the other penguins that there's more to food than fish?
Plátanos go with everything = Los pĺátanos van con todo
Norman, Lissette, author
2023
"With the English and Spanish text side by side on the page, this bilingual edition of the vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the versatility of plátanos is ideal for bilingual readers as well as Spanish speakers learning English and vice versa. Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua. Platanos are Yesenia's favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they're a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why platanos go with everything--especially love!"--. Provided by publisher.
Salma the Syrian chef
Ramadan, Ahmad Danny, author
2020
Newcomer Salma and friends cook up a heartwarming dish to cheer up Mama. 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.
Spicy spicy hot
Wen, Lenny, author, illustrator.
2023
Lintang is determined to embrace the spice of sambal in order to connect with her Indonesian grandmother and heritage.
Tomatoes for Neela
Lakshmi, Padma, author
2021
As Neela and her mother cook together, they find a way for Neela's grandmother, who lives in India, to share in both the love and the flavors of the day.
Watercress
Wang, Andrea, author
2021
Embarrassed about gathering watercress from a roadside ditch, a girl learns to appreciate her Chinese heritage after learning why the plant is so important to her parents.