The Family Table
The Family Table
As our families begin to settle into the routines of the new school year, coming together for meals as a family provide important touch points for connecting with our children. The books featured this week focus of extended family Sunday dinners and the powerful connections they create for our families.
Joyful Reading!
Dinner on Domingos
Written by Alexandra Katona, Illustrated by Claudia Navarro
Every Sunday Alexandra and her family go to Abuelita’s house for a meal and much more. In addition to family favorites (locro and potato soup) from Abuelita’s Ecuadorian roots, now transplanted to Michigan, there is singing, dancing, games, and much memory making. Although Alejandra wishes she spoke more Spanish, the communication is enriched through the love shared and the family table. Alexandra Katona’s text is interspersed with Spanish words. A glossary and the recipe for Abuelita’s locro are provided at the end of the book. Claudia Navarro’s colorful illustrations capture the warmth of family coming together and the special moments and memories they create.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
Written by Kat Zhang, Illustrated by Charlene Chua
Amy is eager to make the Perfect Bao! While we learn that she is good at many things she is good at, but her bao often comes out too small or too big. Meanwhile her father, mother, and grandmother make Perfect Bao. Along with the help and encouragement of her grandmother, and a little creative ingenuity on Amy’s part, she makes the Perfect Bao (Amy sized). Charlene Chua’s vivid illustrations capture the range of Amy’s emotions, and those of her equally expressive kitty, as she checks on the rising dough and struggles to construct her the bao. The author provides her family’s recipe and step-by-step instructions on making the Perfect Bao.
Soul Food Sunday
Written by Winsome Bingham, Illustrated by C.G. Esparanza
2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor
On Soul Food Sunday, a large extended family comes together to share a meal. Granny and her youngest grandson get work in the kitchen while other members of the family share a wide range of activities. At Granny’s instruction her helps her prepare mac ‘n cheese, greens, and meats. When their work is done, Granny takes a nap, while her grandson prepares sweet teach to accompany their meal, because as Granny always says, “unless sweet tea is on the table, it’s not Soul Food Sunday.” Bingham’s rhythmic text is beautifully accompanied by Esperanza’s highly detailed, colorful illustrations.
Beyond the Books
Making time for regular family meals is a powerful way to engage with our children and has been shown to reduce stress, improve family relationships, reduce obesity and substance abuse, improve literacy, and much more. The benefits of the family table, prepared by American College of Pediatricians provides guidelines for planning family mealtimes and summarizes the benefits of the family table. The Family Dinner Project provides a wide range of content to support your family table, including table conversation topics, nutritious kid friendly recipes, tips for meal preparation with children, podcasts, and tips and strategies to maximize family mealtime.
Joyful dining, conversation, and memory making!