Cristina Quintero

The colors of this beautiful children's book strike the reader immediately. Illustrations are done in colored pencils with hues that have been "baked until golden brown" says the colophon--exactly the colors that bring to mind fresh baked loaves right out of the oven. Lots of people are baking lots of bread in this story, all generations and colors of people in soft, fluffy images. Every step is part of the story as adults work with children to create their beloved doughs and when we get to the end, we find the title explained. Make it YOUR way with love and the result is delicious.

Eleven ethnic types of bread and rolls are named and described at the end of the story, all having been seen already in the pages. Recipes for arepas and pandesal are given for making with an adult. Be sure not to miss the last wordless page. Someone's furry family member is eating up the crumbs from the warm and wonderful day of baking.… (more)

I was very excited by the concept of this book (yes, I bake, yes, I still maintain the sourdough starter I began in 2020) and I really did like the writing and the idea. That said, there was something I found off about the pictures that made it kind of off putting and when looking at the publishing page I saw that the illustrations, originally in colored pencil, had been “edited digitally and baked until golden brown.” I really wish they hadn’t made that choice because I think it took what would have been delightful images of families baking together and made them very muddled. The golden effect is actually kind of straining on my eyes, and I do wonder about how the muted, sepia color would go over with the targeted age group (I’m assuming this would work for kids ~3-6) I used to teach preK but work with upper elementary but will try this out one day with them to see how they like it!… (more)