The lively chaos in this sparkling picture book is an ode to community kitchens and to the cheerful, practical hard work involved in making meals for many by many. The ingredients are not always perfect and the people are not always chef-level cooks, but the goal of preparing nourishing meals always leads to full bellies and a warm welcome for all. Our Little Kitchen is an inclusive world, with many kinds of bodies, lots of smiles, and occasional mild grumpiness; it feels real. There is nothing "othering" about this book; neither heavy-handed nor blandly earnest, this is a celebration with real meat and plenty of kid appeal.
A lively celebration of food and community from Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki
Tie on your apron! Roll up your sleeves! Pans are out, oven is hot, the kitchen’s all ready! Where do we start?
In this lively, rousing picture book from Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki, a crew of resourceful neighbors comes together to prepare a meal for their community. With a garden full of produce, a joyfully chaotic kitchen, and a friendly meal shared at the table, Our Little Kitchen is a celebration of full bellies and looking out for one another. Bonus materials include recipes and an author’s note about the volunteering experience that inspired the book.
About the Author
Jillian Tamaki is an illustrator, author, and comics artist living in Toronto, Ontario. She is the co-creator, with her cousin Mariko Tamaki, of the young adult graphic novel This One Summer, which won a Caldecott Honor in 2015. She makes books and comics for people of all ages, including They Say Blue, a picture book about looking and thinking.
Praise For…
**STARRED REVIEW** "Loving ode to community... The sense of fellowship around making and sharing food is sure to hit home, and the undercurrent here—that not everyone can get the food they need—is an important reminder."
— Booklist
**STARRED REVIEW** "A sense of effervescent improvisation pervades the tale, through its cookery details and the text’s rhythm and design... Exudes vibrancy, warmth, individuality, and purpose."
— The Horn Book
**STARRED REVIEW** "By making the collaborative meal preparation visually brilliant, Tamaki injects energy into this life-giving celebration... Convey[s] the power of thrift, collective action, and community-building."
— Publishers Weekly
"Whether for appetizing story hours, classroom cooking, or inspiration to do good works, this book flows with a love for food and community."
— School Library Journal
"Tamaki’s latest is a delight for the senses, bursting with bright colors, enticing scents, and effervescent prose."
