Are you a picky eater? Do you like to try new foods? What's your favourite dish? Is it sweet or savoury?
No matter where you live, there is always a staple dish that can be enjoyed with friends and family. Whether you gather around the table or on the floor, food is a great way to bring people together.
I grew up in Toronto, where different culinary dishes surrounded me. Many of my friends were 1st generation Canadians. We grew up in homes where the food was different from the traditional 'Canadian meal.' I had friends whose parents were from Greece, China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Italy, Jamaica, Iran, Nigeria, and Peru. There were many of us from all around the world, which meant there were many different smells to experience. Sometimes we would share our snacks; Me with my plantain chips and a friend with her seaweed paper. The best part about living in a diverse neighbourhood was sampling foods from around the world. No plane needed!
As I got older, my taste buds expanded, and I continued my fascination with foods by eating at many different restaurants.
Here are 13 diverse titles that will have your mouth watering.
Warning: do not read this on an empty stomach or 30 mins before going grocery shopping.
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We connect with people we enjoy having around us. When meeting a new person, it is easier to 'break the ice' when one's favourite we talk about our favourite foods. It connects us and units us. In times of celebration, we gather around plates of food. When we mourn, we bring food to show our sympathies. Food has always been more than a means of survival; it has brought us together and connected us.
Let me bring you to taste the culinary treats of Spain, France, Korea, and India.
Mindy Kim: and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee
Discount Price: $10.42 reg. 22.99 - AGES 8-10
Making friends is challenging, and being the new kid doesn't make it any easier. Mindy Kim is a Korean-American who knows what it's like to be the odd one out. When she brings a traditional meal for lunch, the other kids' reaction isn't what she imagined. She eventually turns it around and starts selling her classmates a Korean snack (dried seaweed). This snack isn't your typical bright-coloured orange or reddish snack. So, it must have taken quite some brainiac skills to sell a piece of green, salty underwater snack. Dry seaweed is one of my favourite snacks. If you haven't tried it, visit your local Asian grocery store and ask someone to lead you to your new experience.
*Great beginner chapter book for young readers
*Themes: parent loss, race, being different, new experiences, overcoming adversities, entrepreneurship
All You Knead is Love by Tanya Guerrero
Discount Price: $8.90 reg. 22.90 - AGES 8-12
12-year-old Alba must go live with her estranged grandmother in Barcelona. She would prefer to stay with her mother, but her mother has a new plan for their life; to escape Alba's abusive father. In Spain, Alba learns about her Spanish and Filipino heritage through her Abuela Lola. The author made sure to express the blend of heritage with words in Spanish and Tagalog. When she finally settles into her new city, makes friends, and discovers a love for baking, things are about to change again. The bakery she loves is closing, and her mother has come to Barcelona to tell Alba she has left her father. Alba's life is coming apart, but can she save the one thing she finds salvation in - the bakery?
*Themes: divorce, abuse, generational stories, travel, new experiences
Phoebe G. Green: Lunch Will Never Be the Same! by Veera Hiranandani
Discount Price: $5.90 reg. $9.50 - AGES 6-8
Well, it's not your 90's peanut butter and jam sandwich for school lunches. Phoebe is fascinated by the new girl in school. Phoebe is a young foodie who loves food with all its smells and sights. So, when the new girl opens her lunch box, and it's full of French goodies, Phoebe is obsessed. The three friends have something to share; Phoebe is Jewish, Camille is French, and Sage is Indian. Their friendship is all about learning about each other's diverse food choices.
*Great for beginner readers and an introduction to chapter books
*Themes: friendships, culture, culinary foods, multiculturalism
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Discount Price: $10.94 reg. $22.99 - AGES 8-12
This book is mainly about a half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old named Nisha. Her whole world ended with India's independence from British rule in 1947. Now she must navigate a world where war rages between the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Within each tragedy is the introduction to Indian culinary dishes. Through the pages, Hiranandani takes her readers into a kitchen filled with curry and naan dishes. Each chapter brings its reader into the world of Indian dishes. So much so that it is almost as if you are there, smelling the spices.
*Themes: war, death, family, friendships, food, multi-generational ties, siblings
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My fondest memories are of family gatherings during the holidays. These were the days when my Caribbean culture was very prominent. Christmas would not just be about Santa Clause and opening gifts; it was a day to celebrate who we are. Foods made by people from the Caribbean diaspora would surround our table, but mostly everything was made by the hands of my Grenadian mother and aunt. We would gather together and eat until our bellies were full. Foods such as pelau, kingfish, oxtail, and oil down were part of the main dishes; tamarind balls, coconut cake, rum cake (the show stopper), cheese straws, and Christmas cake were our desserts or snacks. I could go on, but I'll stop there because I am getting homesick and very, very hungry.
These foods awakened my ancestors as soon as they touched my tongue. With food comes music, stories, and so many other things that connect us to our culture. Here are three titles that will help any reader understand the joy that food brings.
I Love Boba by Katrina Liu
Our Price: $27.19 - Ages 4-8
The author, Katrina Liu, loves boba so much that she wrote a whole book about it. Boba is made from tapioca starch. The tapioca simmers in a brown sugar syrup to give it its sweet taste and black colour. Boba is commonly paired with a creamy black or green tea called "boba tea." You can also pair it with slushies, coffee, or smoothies. I Love Boba is about all things boba and why it's so great!
*Themes: Asian foods, cities, on the map, Taiwanese culture
Goodnight Bubbala by Sheryl Haft
Our Price: $12.52, reg.$24.99 - Ages 4-6
Have you heard of the story Goodnight Moon? Well, this is a parody of that well-loved book. You can find Yiddish words and Jewish references on every page. Goodnight Bubbala is a story that will be a great Hannukah bedtime story. This bedtime story adds dance, kvelling, and noshing. After reading this book, you might be tempted to create a favourite Jewish treat. Well, have no fear because you will find a handy latke recipe in the back of the book. Bring the book to life with some tasty latkes.
Theme: Jewish traditions, food, family, bedtime stories, learning languages, and worldly foods.
What Can You Do With a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla
Our Price: $7.99 reg. 8.99 - Ages 4-8
Do you know what a Paleta is? Or what about a paleta wagon? In this wonderfully written book, we learn about a delicious Mexican treat called a paleta. This cold treat will undoubtedly be a delight on a hot summer day. In this story, a young girl takes readers on an excursion around her barrio and introduces her favourite cold treat. Introduced to the reader are the many sights and sounds of her barrio. A paleta is a cold, fruit-flavoured treat that resembles a popsicle.
* This is a bilingual book and can be read in English and Spanish
*Themes: Mexican culture, world foods, city life, books about home, deserts
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Is anybody else's tummy rumbling? This simple three-word question has been around for ages, asked by kids worldwide, and feared by parents everywhere. "What's for dinner?" is on everyone's mind when the clock reaches 5 pm. You may think about adding healthy choices, when to eat dinner or when not to eat dinner (the general rule is after 7 pm). But most importantly, what cuisine will you place on the table?
Kalamata's Kitchen by Sarah Thomas
Our price: $10.70, reg: $23.99 - ages 4-8
It is Kalamata's first day at school, and she's feeling nervous. She's worried about whether the kids will be friendly or not. Or what if they do not like alligators? She dreams of going back to India and walking in the spice market. She was most courageous at that time, but Kalamata had a secret. When mama opened the kitchen cabinet, the smells of spices flew over Kalamata. Under her table, she and her alligator, Al Dente, will travel anywhere they want. Can they find a scent that will make her feel brave before her first day?
*Themes: Indian foods, imagination, stuffed animals as friends, family, worldly foods, confidence, bravery
My Friend Mei Jing by Anna McQuinn
Our Price: $5.80 reg. $8.50 - Ages 6-8
In this book, we meet two best friends, Monifa and Mei Jing. They love doing things together, especially arts & crafts. They even have the same favourite colour. Monifa is the storyteller and takes us on a journey to discover their friendships and learn about what makes them unique. Monifa's parents are from Nigeria, and she shares the foods they like to eat there. She also shares with readers the type of food Mei Jing eats at her house. They even bond on foods their grandmothers love to eat. Mei Jing's grandma likes to eat chicken feet, and Monifa's grandma likes to eat cow's feet...yuk! I remember my grandma used to cook pig's feet soup. It was not my favourite.
*Great introduction to chapter book reading
*Themes: friendships, African & Asian cuisine, multi-generational, grandparents, differences, diverse cultures
Mamaqtuq! by The Jerry Cans
Our Price: $16.95 - ages 3-6
Yummy! Mmmm! Mamaqtuq! A few friends are hungry for some delicious soup but still need a critical ingredient, a seal. So they decide that they must go hunting. As time passes, they begin to lose hope in ever catching a seal. When they were about to give up, they spotted a seal in the distance. Finally! They can have their delicious soup filled with carrots, celery, garlic and onions. Hunting for your food is still a significant activity in many parts of the world. People often use their traditional tools to allow them to catch the animals. Hunting is a great way to eat fresh meat, but it's important to remember to only hunt for what you can eat (or need to eat).
*Themes: Northern Canada, Inuit culture/cuisine, diversity, foods, hunting, eating diverse foods, cookbooks
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For centuries food has always shown us how to be our best selves. We have defined who we are because of our dietary and eating habits. For example, "a foodie" represents someone who loves to eat and try different foods; a picky eater is someone who is the opposite and choices wisely before trying. I consider myself a picky eater and have yet to indulge in the joys of yogurt. Are you a vegetarian, vegan, or meat eater? Perhaps you only desire to eat raw foods.
Travel worldwide, and you will find many people who eat different meals. This could be because of geography (what is available in their region) or faith/religion. Whatever the case, it is important not to judge others or enforce your diet on anyone different.
Eating These Foods Makes Me by Kalifa Rodriguez MSc
Our Price: $16.97 - Ages 4-8
Picky eaters are so hard to convince to try new things. It might be the colour, smell or texture that will stop a child from trying something new. In this book, the author found a proactive way to introduce healthy eating habits. To convey the message that eating the right foods will help your body grow, the illustrator added bright and fun pictures to help bring the concept to young readers everywhere.
*Themes: healthy eating, vegetables and fruit, food groups, diversity, tolerance
Under the Mango Tree by Valdene Mark
Our Price: $23.99 - Ages 5-7
What do best friends do in the Caribbean to pass the time? They hang out under a mango tree! Well, at least Vee and Sanaa do. Two best friends find comfort under a fruit tree where they meet daily. They were extremely close, but one day Vee had to move away. What will Sanaa do without her bestie? Are the mangos going to taste the same now that they bring sadness?
I remember meeting a friend in elementary school every day in a specific place, at the compost bins. That would be "our spot" where we would start conversations and gossip. I also remember the day my friend had to move away and how I felt. I had to change my routine, and seeing those blue compost bins always reminded me of my best friend.
*Themes: Friendships, moving away, healthy fruits, Caribbean foods, agriculture
Linus the Vegetarian T-Rex by Robert Neubecker
Our Price: $10.70, reg: $19.99 - Ages 3-7
Ruth is brilliant. She knows everything there is to know about dinosaurs, especially what they like to eat. Some dinosaurs are carnivores, and some are herbivores. It's very black and white; that's it, that's all. However, when Ruth meets Linus, the t-rex, everything she knows about what dinosaurs like to eat goes out the window because Linus is a vegetarian t-rex.
Reading this book makes me want to visit my local market to try new vegetables. There are so many tastes that I have yet to try. Who knows, I may find a new vegetarian recipe.
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Literature helps us discover new things, and foods are one of them. Challenge yourself and find a book discussing a meal you have yet to try. You may need an extra push to dive into a cultural experience. Anyone of the books mentioned above can be that push you need. Try new things and open a door of delicious opportunities. After reading these extraordinary stories, I am certainly hungry for something new.
Happy munching!
]]>I know there should be more and there are so many more books that still need to be discovered. This is HoneyBooks' list of our top 20 picks that will become a mommy and me favourite. So re-heat that now cold cup of coffee/tea and lets get started.
]]>Mother's Day is approaching and it is probably the best day of the year (sorry dads). I think so many moms deserve to celebrate themselves and all the hard work they put in 365 days a year.
We curated a list of my favourite books! Moms could definitely curl up and cuddle with their special little one while reading these 20 top picks.
Mommies Are Amazing by Meredith Costain, Polona Lovsin (Illustrator)
Aren't mommies wonderful? That is why we celebrate them every year. This book complements another Costain book called Daddies Are Awesome. In this book, cute mommy cats and their kittens celebrate the vast majority of moms.
This rhyming book celebrates the bond between a mother and a child. The adorable illustrations make this book fun and enjoyable to read. Celebrate motherhood with a book dedicated to all mommies.
You're Just What I Need by Ruth Krauss, Julia Noonan (Illustrations)
This is a fun and playful book that will surely give some wonderful ideas on playing hide-and-seek. An adorable baby hides underneath a blanket and the mother tries to guess what the lumpy bundle could be.
...a pile of laundry?
...a bundle of carrots?
...a monkey?
...it's me!
And you're just what I need.
Young readers will be delighted to read a familiar guessing game between mother and child
These Words I Shaped for You by Megan Merchant (Author), Basak Agaoglu (Illustrator)
Nothing is more precious than a parent's love. This delightful book is about the amazing and everlasting love a mother has for her child. Read each page written in poetic verse and feel your heart swell with happiness. The poetic words of Merchant and the child-friendly illustrations by Agaoglu make this book a wonderful read just before bedtime.
These Words are Shaped for You
This is Our Baby, Born Today by Varsha Bajaj, Eliza Wheeler (Illustrator)
The first moment parents get to gaze at their new bundle of joy is an exhilarating and emotional experience. When those tiny fingers wrap around a finger it sends a lightning bolt of feelings right to the heart.
This is Our Baby, Born Today is a wonderful heartwarming story about a new baby elephant and all the creatures who come out to marvel at the sight.
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk, Alexandria Neonakis (Illustrator)
When a baby means everything, it might seem as though the whole world is infatuated with your new little one.
Kulu is an Inuktitut term of endearment often bestowed upon babies and young children. Little Kulu is an adorable baby whose mother tells him about all the animals in the artic and how they have come to bring him gifts.
The beautiful illustrations and traditional Inuit values laid out throughout this book makes it a perfect bedtime cuddle book.
You Be Mommy by Karla Clark (Author), Zoe Persico (Illustrator)
A #1 favourite by HoneyBooks customers, You Be Mommy is a heartwarming book about a mother who explains why she is too tired to be a mommy. She asks her daughter to switch roles with her and become more responsible.
Clark does an excellent job at mimicking the voice of many tired mommies. With the help of illustrator Zoe Persico, young readers will enjoy reading this bright and colourful book with a loved one.
When I Grow Up by by Julie Chen, Diane Goode (Illustrator)
It's bedtime, but before this little boy goes to sleep he wonders what he will be when he grows up. As his mom guides him through the usual bedtime routine he tells his mom of all the things he wants to do. He has big dreams and even bigger ideas.
Julie Chen is a mother, a television personality, and a producer. Children will be delighted to read this book just before bed and dream about their future.
Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan, Saffa Khan (Illustrator)
From the author of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns comes a book about a mother and her little one. Inspired by the Quran, Hena shares her wishes for her children. "Inshallah you find wonder in birds as they fly. Inshallah you are loved, like the moon loves the sky." This charming book is a perfect way to share muslim values and teaches religious acceptance.
Children will love to read the read-allowed bedtime story and learn the traditions of the muslim faith.
How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Illustrator)
Coming June 21, 2021
A little girl loves her family and loves her culture, but she needs to prove to them that she too can wear a sari. She is determined to show everyone that even though she is small, she can be fashionable and wear those beautiful silks and sparkles too.
Mothers and their children will be delighted to read about a little one who strives to prove that she can do great things. There may be some hiccups, but that is only the process to more greatness.
A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza
Sometimes family comes from somewhere else. Sometimes a mother needs to be found. Although some mommies might not look like their babies it doesn't mean their love for each other isn't strong.
A cute little chickadee is looking for his mommy, but what does she look like? Does she have feathers or fur; a beak or snot?
This beautiful book about adoption shows children that not all families need to look the same to be family. And the best love is love that is found.
Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray, Jada Rowland (Illustrator)
As the author's debut book, Miss Tizzy is a wonderful story about an elderly lady that might seem a little peculiar to her neighbours, but a wonderful caregiver to the neighbourhood children.
Miss Tizzy is kind, generous, and caring. She is all about colour; colourful house, clothing, and personality. The children that surround her love her and love the attention she gives them. Miss Tizzy may not be their biological grandmother, but she sure acts like one. Together, they bake delicious cookies, make beautiful pictures for those who need to smile, play make-believe and even sing songs to the moon.
When Miss Tizzy becomes ill, the children come together to make her feel as special as she has made them feel.
This beautifully written book shows that when love is received it can also be given. This book is a wonderful book to read during summer days, while relaxing under a tree. Both mom and child will be touched on how Miss Tizzy exuberates kindness and love.
Is Than You Eleanor Sue? by Tricia Tusa
Who says dressing up is only for Halloween? At Eleanor Sue's house, Saturdays are dress-up days. On this particular Saturday, Eleanor Sue decides to trick her mom by dressing up as different characters. Each character she puts on a role and transforms into something else... an old man, a cat, or a witch. Even her grandmother!
It is so much fun to play dress up and moms will enjoy reading this wonderful humorous story about imagination. Children will enjoy the costume changes and perhaps find new ways to use their imagination.
Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (Illustrator)
Author of Honey Baby Sugar Child, Duncan shares a lovely story about foster care and adoption.
A young girl misses her mom and dad, but she knows that it is not the right time for them to be together. Instead, she gets to stay with the lovely Mama Rose. Mama Rose takes care of her just like a real mother and little Carol Olivia Clementine realizes that love can come in many forms.
This is another story about finding love in other places. This is a touching story about being a caregiver and children will learn that not all families need to be blood-related.
Cancer Hates Kisses by Jessica Reid Sliwerski, Mika Song (Illustrator)
Cancer is a horrible disease and when a loved one is diagnosed, it can be hard on the whole family. Cancer Hates Kisses is written by a cancer survivor. Jessica R. Sliwerski wrote this book because she knew how difficult it would be for a parent to explain the diagnoses to their children.
Children will enjoy reading about realistic circumstances and learn about what happens when mommy has cancer.
You Belong by Rachel Platten, Marcin Piwowarski (Illustrator)
Singer and songwriter Rachel Platten's book explore the emotions of expected parents. You Belong, is a story welcoming a new baby into the lives of adoring parents. Illustrations by Piwowarski adds a special touch and makes this book a cute book to read for both young and old.
My Mommy Medicine by Edwidge Danticat, Shannon Wright (Illustrator)
The way I take care of my little one is because I remember how my mother took care of me when I was young. A lot of cuddles, baths and all things cozy. This is another HoneyBooks favourite not just because of the story it tells but also because of the beautiful illustrations.
I'm in my 30s but I still feel as though I need some Mommy Medicine. You know that loving, nurturing, kiss the boo-boos goodbye medicine. Mommy Medicine by Edwidge Danticat, reveals just what to do when you need to feel better...get a mommy. Mommies have the best medicine there is.
Children and their mommies will enjoy reading this loving book together knowing that they have each other for comfort.
Being a teenager can be difficult, but a pregnant teen will face a whole new set of challenges. Written by the author of Jasmin's Notebook and Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, Grimes has written a book from the perspective of a young girl name Mister.
Mister is a young Christian girl who takes her faith seriously. After one night of weakness with a boy named Trey, Mister finds herself pregnant. She experiences emotional trauma from losing her innocents and having to deal with her new reality. She eventually finds a poetry book written by her mother written in first person narrative. She finds solace in her mother's poetry and God's glory. Through this she finds forgiveness and peace.
Ivy by Katherine Coville
A healer and lover of animals Ivy's grandmother is loved by all the forest animals. The residents of Broomsweep are not happy with how untidy Grandmother's home is kept. Ivy must help her grandmother clean up her home, but the task becomes more difficult than expected when unexpected refugees descend on Grandmother's cottage. The thing is, these new refugees are mythical creatures; a dragon with a cold, a group of pixies, and an injured griffin.
Tweens and teens will love to read about the mystical adventure that Ivy and her grandmother experience at the Broomsweep cottage.
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
When tragedy strikes we tend to find different ways to cope and find a way to keep our feet touching the ground. This is the case for 13-year-old Nisha who has lost her home due to the increasing violence between Hindus and Muslims. Based in 1947, author Hir writes a story about survival and becoming a refugee. The young Nisha must navigate a new life after she is forced to leave Pakistan in search for a new home. She had already lost her mom when she was a baby, now she must face the reality of losing her country too. How will she cope? Nisha finds comfort in writing letters to her mother.
Young teens will enjoy this heartfelt story of a young girl and how (although her mother isn't physically there) she still will find comfort in the motherly connection.
Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood by Lucy Knisley
Don't forget about mom. This is a graphic comedy dedicated to moms and their hectic schedule of taking care of their little one. Lucy documents a new mother with spontaneous comedic cartoons.
Moms will find this book a humorous read of realistic scenes from motherhood.
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