Sarah Thomas (5)

A delightful and sensory adventure that explores both food and being brave all in one go. Although the main message gets a little muddled towards the end, I think plenty of readers young and old will have fun going on this under-the-kitchen-table trip with Kalamata and Al Dente (who is adorbs!!).

There’s a lot of things I really like about this book. First, I like that it shows how kids can use stuffed animals and other such things to express their feelings when they feel like it’s too hard to say the words from themselves. And the mom totally got that. Second, I love how Kalamata was able to feel braver and stronger after thinking about something so important to her and her parents culture. Third, the book did such a great job of really immersing all the senses as Kalamata show more returns to that Indian market in her imagination and smells the wonderful aromas, tastes the delicious spices, sees all the vibrant colors, hears the sounds of the popping oil cooking, and feels the soft texture of rice. There’s even a special place (under the kitchen table) that Kalamata loves to go to that can transport her anywhere she wants to imagine. Plus, I also love food, so I totally get this book on a deeper level haha. show less

Kalamata has been excited about starting her new school, but she has a last-minute attack of nerves. While her mother cooks dal, Kalamata retreats under the kitchen table with her stuffed alligator, Al Dente, to summon the memory of an Indian spice market and see if she can rediscover the necessary bravery.

Recipe for dal included.

I fell in love with this book when I read it the first time. I love how the author shows the characters background as well as incorporates the cultures food choices.