Soul Food Sunday

To capture this sprawling, high-energy extended family gathering, Esperanza’s vibrant, kinetic oil-paint illustrations stretch edge to edge, sometimes tilted to reflect the changing perspectives of people in motion. A boy finally big enough to put on Grandpa’s chef jacket and help Granny make mac ’n’ cheese narrates with awe, his excitement palpable: “Cheeses stack high like a mountain.” Next Granny fills the sink with water, vinegar and lemon juice. “Greens got to be clean, baby,” she says, the music of Bingham’s conversational poetry rich and real.

A child helps Granny prepare food for Soul Food Sunday: mac and cheese, greens, and meats. Repetitive, patterned language is comforting, inviting the reader in; Granny praises the child for a job well done. When she goes to take a nap, the child makes sweet tea for the table. A joyful celebration of family, food, and togetherness. Mac and cheese recipe included.

Encapsulates all the best things in picture books. Some gentle mentoring and positive encouragement for a child to try something new and hard; persevering. Repeated phrases, sounds to repeat. Family being supportive and loving. Celebrating traditions and everyday Black family life. Painted illustrations that capture both the love and excitement on every character's face. A recipe! A whole lotta wonderful all in one small picture book.

This book follows the life of an African-American family as they get ready for Soul Food Sunday when they all cook and eat together. This is a great book for younger grades that would tie into a lesson on families and how different families have different traditions. I loved how vibrant the illustrations and descriptions were, and it would be fun to do a cooking or art lesson based on this book as well, where students could compare it to their own families and experiences.

This book tells the story of an African-American family preparing for Soul Food Sunday, a special time when they come together to cook and share a meal. It’s perfect for younger grades and works well in a lesson about families and their unique traditions. The vibrant illustrations and vivid descriptions make the story especially engaging. A fun follow-up activity could include a cooking or art lesson where students explore their own family traditions and compare them to the story, fostering connection and creativity.

Love the premise, the energy, the heart, and the lessons.

But dang. I hope they eat salmon, brown rice, and blueberries the rest of the week!
And they should maybe play football, instead of watching it?
I recommend a conversation with your children.

At least there could have been beans and sweet potatoes on the menu, no? Or is that an ignorant question? (If so, I do apologize for any offense.)

This story reflects the culture of a Black family as a little boy learns from his grandma how to make Soul Food for the big Sunday family dinner.