(4) YA Illustrated by Kelsi Jo Silva. Soup works in a kitchen under a horrible boss in this world inhabited by fantasy creatures. When she learns that the boss has also been stealing ideas from the other food vendors in the market in town, she challenges him to a cook-off for the restaurant. Though some of the illustrations are a bit lackluster, they are sprinkled with inventive details (a cute “dishwasher elemental” sidekick; creative interpretations of fae). A low stakes cozy fantasy read with welcome queer representation (e.g., Soup’s best friend, Clarion, is nonbinary and Soup imagines falling in love with “some beautiful boy or...a breathtaking girl”).

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(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alona Millgram. “Fingers crossed it turns out right. / Challah for Shabbat tonight.” Singsong rhymes take readers and listeners step by step as the narrator bakes challah with Grandma, including the fun of waiting together and, later, of Shabbat dinner with family. Illustrations are appealingly varied, from insets showing details of baking to flighty spreads with ingredients and smells dancing across the page. A welcome, warm portrayal of the Jewish Sabbath and of an intergenerational relationship.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 4-6 Julia on the Go! series. Illustrated by Julie Kim. The rec center is nine-year-old Julia Nam's second home: it's where her parents' restaurant, Sushi to Go, is located, as well as the library and the swimming pool where she is the youngest member of the swim team. Fiercely driven, Julia goes hard in warm-ups and doesn't let up until practice is over. She lives for time trials, which her coach calls Personal Best Day, or PBD. When an ear infection forces her to take a ten-day break from swimming, she goes stir-crazy at the thought of missing PBD and the chance to qualify to compete in a regional meet. Her parents advise her that she needs to be patient and "roll with it," punning on the sushi rolls they sell. But she just can't, and readers benefit from the often-humorous trouble she gets into. Kim's black-and-white illustrations bring the rec center environment to life. Ahn subtly fleshes out Julia's world, noting in passing how the young athlete sometimes went to school hungry when her Korean immigrant parents juggled part-time jobs. This spirited first book in a projected series delivers a meaningful message about resilience, the value of patience and flexibility, and the benefits of teamwork and community building.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro. Since arriving from Havana, Magaly’s talented abuela has “whipped up one Cuban dish after another.” It’s all new and tasty—but when Magaly hears about ropa vieja, literally “old clothes,” she starts to grow concerned...and to hide her favorite garments. Lively, warm-toned digital illustrations display abuela’s “zesty” dishes and Magaly’s funny misunderstanding. Useful and entertaining back matter includes author and illustrator notes, two recipes, brief “Facts About Cuba,” examples of “recipes with imaginative names” from various cultures, and a glossary.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey. The plight of Black farmers takes center stage in this affecting picture book. A boy and his grandfather faithfully take their produce to a farmers' market every Saturday. Papa's stall is the only one occupied, but "it wasn't always this way." Just two years ago, there were five. The Pumphreys' expressive illustrations, created using handmade stamps and edited digitally, highlight the richness of the harvest, the deep purple plums, large orange pumpkins, and vibrant green bell peppers. Papa knows his customers well and even stops at Mrs. Brown's to deliver plums after the stand closes each week. When Papa is too tired to carry on this work, his customers come to him to share a meal consisting of the bounty from his land. The final spread reveals that even though Papa's days of harvesting are over, the family's connection to farming won't end. A bumper sticker on his pickup truck along with signs in his barn and stand promote the cause of Black farmers. An author's note provides information about the dwindling number of Black farmers due to discrimination.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) 4-6 Seventh grader Mahnoor Raheem is less than thrilled when her Pakistani grandmother, Dadi, comes to live with them in Texas. Not only does Maha have to give up her bedroom, but her father also expects her to "babysit" his mother while he and Maha's mom work long hours at the hospital. Although her home life is disrupted, Maha is excited about her media studies elective; she sees the class as a steppingstone to pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist. A class project -- making "a documentary on a topic that's newsworthy" -- gives Maha the opportunity to learn more about Dadi's life and an appreciation for what history can teach us about the present. By spending time with her grandmother prepping meals, participating in her first Ramadan fast, and playing board games, she learns a great deal about the 1947 Partition of British India into India and Pakistan. Faruqi introduces readers to the Partition, the largest mass migration in history, through relatable characters experiencing recognizable middle-school dynamics. The conversational style of the historical retelling offsets some of the heavier issues of rampant violence, refugee resettlement, and trauma. Readers are rewarded with a deeply immersive and moving story as Maha experiences a shift in understanding of her hyphenated identities and connects her family's history to other immigrant experiences.

Reviewer: Sadaf Siddique | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Brooke Smart. The main table in a home is often where memories are made. Killian's debut picture book explores this table's many roles in one family's life. The easy-to-read story starts where a wooden table begins: "as a seed that grew into a great strong tree." The tree is felled, taken to a workshop, and carefully crafted. The top is sanded, legs attached. The wood is stained, sealed, and set to dry. The family places the table "in the middle of a house, and life grew up around it." Smart's watercolor illustrations add to the story with playful and inventive scenes. The number of people grows and shrinks, and scenes evolve from the quiet act of arranging flowers to a birthday party spilling over with family and friends. Their table is filled to overflowing with the chaos of an unfolded map, children's drawings, and more. A clean, empty table shown near the end prompts discussion about readers' own experiences around family tables. The story concludes where it started: "This table began as a seed and became the heart of someone's home."

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Teresa Martinez. Luis’s family’s tamalada (a “tamale-making party”) ends in an epic battle for the last tamale. The grandkids compete in a dance competition, lucha libre, and, finally, an arm-wrestling match with Abuelita, the head chef and holder of the family recipe. Bright, cartoony illustrations full of colorful, superhero-comic-esque flair bring this silly fight to life. An author’s note is appended.

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(2) K-3 Susan the duck orders a pair of roller skates that turn out to be two sizes too big and bemoans her bad luck. That's when a wolf shows up at the door: "You have won this fabulous pot! Perfect for making soup!" Susan feels lucky, but then a light bulb blows. Soon enough, the doorbell rings again, and there's the wolf with a surprise pile of onions. Susan keeps having small misfortunes and receiving more soup-based prizes, oblivious to the wolf's toothy smile and vaguely creepy jacket and bow tie. The illustrations are in Pizzoli's trademark thick line and limited palette -- here a pleasing mix of salmon, mint, brown, and gold. Strong composition guides readers through the story, while funny details in the background (like a box of "Cheezee Quackers" on the counter and a bug who serves as a behind-the-scenes helper throughout) will pop on inevitable repeat readings. Susan's petty annoyances prove fortuitous when the wolf ultimately tries to shove her into the soup pot but slips on one of her lost marbles, setting off a Rube Goldberg–like series of mishaps that ends with the wolf rolling away on one of the roller skates with his head stuck in a pickle jar and being chased by hornets. This amusing, clever take on familiar tropes will be a favorite in storytimes and homes.

Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Hadley Hooper. Spare, poetic text and illustrations rich in color and detail provide a unique insight into a well-known artist. Beginning in well-trodden territory with descriptions of O'Keeffe's (1887–1986) flower paintings, Robinson quickly directs the story to the artist's later life and the ways that not only the natural landscape of New Mexico but also the nourishing acts of tending a garden and feeding friends inspired her art. The text is lean but full of evocative details. Hooper's illustrations focus on the things O'Keeffe loved -- landscapes and natural materials take precedence over people, who are often sketched in black and white over the riot of color of a table of food or a garden full of flowers. One memorable page-turn first shows a young Georgia surrounded by the kinds of small natural objects that intrigued her; on the following spread, many of the same objects are shown much larger and more painterly, leaping out of an older O'Keeffe's head. Back matter includes brief biographical information, more details about some of her sustainable gardening techniques, a list of sources, and O'Keeffe's recipe for pecan butterball cookies.

Reviewer: Laura Koenig | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. A contemporary girl describes all the tasks and details leading up to her Cherokee community’s wild onion dinner at the start of spring. From her grandmother stitching a tear dress to the girl tending the chickens to gathering the onions together as a family, then cooking, serving, and enjoying the meal at the community center, an appreciation for tradition, and the child’s thankfulness for abundance, comes through. Clear, colorful, digital-looking illustrations set a warm and congenial scene. An author’s note, three recipes, and a glossary are appended.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) K-3 Alligator Bob (Chez Bob, rev. 9/21), proprietor of his bird friends' favorite restaurant, is blindsided when an energetic young alligator rolls into town with an exciting new business: Chez Ryan "delivers pizza while doing cool bike tricks!" Bob doesn't handle the competition well and falls into a funk fueled by sad music, snack food, and self-pity. With Chez Bob's shuttered, the birds flock to enjoy the convivial atmosphere at Ryan's, while Bob follows his jealous thoughts to a dark place: the "internest." Posting under various pseudonyms ("smartbirdwhoisnotbob," "trustworthybird226"), he relieves his anxiety by slandering Ryan and pizza -- and expressing those "very bad things made Bob feel very good." Lest readers think this is an endorsement of internet troll-dom, Shea's comical illustrations turn dark and shadowy as Bob wages his online smear campaign by the light of his laptop. Skilled use of color and perspective throughout effectively conveys mood and plays up the overall silliness. Ryan is understandably furious when Bob confesses, but Bob's heartfelt apology helps Ryan forgive him. In the "sappy ending" that the two chefs agree is "gross," they team up to run a new fusion restaurant serving birdseed pizza. This satisfying second course will be a crowd pleaser.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) K-3 Liddy's excitement about a family trip to the Dim Sum Palace keeps her wide awake. "Is it a real palace? Will I meet an empress?" Getting out of bed, she follows a delicious smell that leads her to the very establishment "and into a kitchen where she found two busy chefs making dim sum." Liddy is small, and the nighttime kitchen, its dim sum wonders, and the two chefs are huge, an entertaining homage to Sendak's In the Night Kitchen. She falls into a bowl of dumpling filling and is "folded and pinched" until "she looked good enough to eat!" In fact, she's served to the Empress; luckily, Liddy catches the Empress's attention and, instead of being eaten, is welcomed as a guest. The story's heartwarming ending embraces the magic of family and the joy of sharing meals. Fang's playful storytelling and vibrant illustrations capture the essence of childhood wonder and imagination. The beautifully decorated endpapers showcase forty different dim sum dishes, further immersing readers in the culinary experience. A delightful celebration of food, culture, and family traditions.

Reviewer: Weileen Wang | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) 4-6 When twelve-year-old Adia Kelbara is placed as an apprentice cook at the Academy of Shamans for her "year of practicality," her exploitative aunt and uncle try to forbid her from leaving their repressive village. Adia somehow causes an earthquake that destroys the village, then flees to the Academy in the resulting chaos. Afraid that she must be possessed by an evil demon to have caused such destruction, she hopes one of the shamans can perform an exorcism, but the Academy has been taken over by rich foreigners, none of whom can do any magic. Then, while searching the school's libraries for information on exorcisms, Adia inadvertently eavesdrops on three Alusi (celestial guardians) and learns that the emperor of Zaria, Darian the Warlord Child, has been possessed by Olark, a rogue Alusi, for a year now. If Adia follows the wisest Alusi to watch her exorcise Olark from the Warlord Child, perhaps she'll learn how to exorcise her own demon. Igbo cosmology forms the basis of this engaging fantasy, and Hendrix not only uses the surviving mythology but also depicts some of the ways Western hegemonists have contributed to its loss. Adia's emotional growth remains central to the narrative, which lays out intriguing tidbits that build over the course of the novel to support the satisfying reveal at book's end

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) 4-6 Now happily settled after the drama of 7Pine Island Home (rev. 9/20), orphaned sisters Fiona, Marlin, Natasha, and Charlie face new challenges when their former guardian, Mrs. Weatherspoon, announces that she is arriving from Australia for a prolonged visit--and unexpectedly shows up with a companion. Fiona, now fifteen, is furious that the nasty, intrusive, and demanding Jo seems to be ruining her family; she finds some solace in her journal, which becomes a friend, along with the teacher who responds to her entries. Meanwhile, Marlin is struggling with her outcast status at school and the lack of publisher interest in her cookbook, Thirty Meals a Twelve-Year-Old Could Make and [cf4]Did[cf3]!; Natasha turns out to be a prodigy on the violin but just wants to commune with the natural world; and youngest sibling Charlie desperately wants a dog. True to form, Horvath packs this sequel (which takes readers from the beginning of the school year through Christmas) with relatable incident, vivid dialogue, humor, and moments of profound reflection on the human condition.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) YA This novel in verse is told from the perspectives of Danna and Raúl, who meet when Raúl and his uncle play music as therapy for Danna's grandfather, who has dementia. They are enamored with each other that first day, but Danna fully wins Raúl over on his next visit with her homemade chorreadas de piloncillo. Kemp employs striking food metaphors and similes to create a warm image of young love ("I didn't know / you could see [love] / glittering in the crust / of a cookie") as well as a poignant perspective on the experience of caring for a loved one with dementia. Danna fears losing not just her grandfather but also his memories as a food writer. She is at least somewhat comforted when she finds his journals that reveal "a portrait of / an appetite-- / even older than I am-- / ...for adventure and romance and a satisfaction / you can taste." Danna considers herself the poet, but Raúl's sections use verse more effectively, especially in conveying his relationship with his mother; she and Raúl are both survivors of domestic violence, and she has recently returned from two years of incarceration. Fans of Acevedo's The Poet X (rev. 3/18) will appreciate this novel's similar style and themes, which also touch on religion, body image, and Latine identity.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(2) Korean American Sunny Park wants to support her best friend, Bailey, whose parents are getting divorced (she also wants to avoid Bailey's resentment). Although Sunny struggles with social anxiety, she agrees to endure the judgment of fellow seventh graders­ by auditioning for the middle-school dance team with Bailey. When Sunny makes the team and Bailey doesn't, their friendship becomes strained. Sunny bonds with teammates­ who share her love of the same K-pop group, an interest that Bailey has derided as immature. Finding solace in her supportive family, Sunny is especially close to her halmoni, who moved in after Sunny's grandfather passed away. Sunny shares the joy of K-pop while her grandmother shares advice and stories of her own childhood as she prepares (vividly described) Korean dishes. Despite the challenges of navigating social interactions, making mistakes, and reflecting on relationships, Sunny finds personal growth and leadership through the dance team. Kim offers humor, tween drama, and a satisfying conclusion­ in this well-paced story of self-discovery.

Reviewer: Kristine Techavanich | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(1) K-3 Illustrated by ShinYeon Moon. Millie visits her laolao (grandmother) in spring, and together they make Millie's favorite dish -- homemade dumplings. To get the right ingredients, the pair heads to Chinatown to visit several lively neighborhood markets, buying vegetables and shrimp as well as lychee for a special treat. Back home, they prepare the filling; fold and cook the dumplings; and share a tasty meal and a poignant moment. As the seasons go by, however, Laolao's strength and cognition wane, and she becomes "too tired" for all that preparation. In winter, Millie leads her parents to the markets, and the three of them make dumplings for Laolao, accompanied by gifts from the shopkeepers -- flowers, medicinal roots, a lucky scroll, and more. Eye-catching illustrations feature expansive double-page spreads of the neighborhood shops, drawing readers in to explore each tiny detail. The pictures resonate with love, complementing the predominant theme of family closeness and the book's casual diversity (Mom is Chinese; Dad is Black). Between the warm palette and the close-ups of Laolao's and Millie's faces, it's clear that joy comes through food for these two, and they share this special bond. This book does a gentle yet superb job of showing the effects of older family members experiencing age-related issues, but from the child's perspective -- what they see and feel and how they try to help as best they can. An author's note provides background information and the author's own ("no longer secret") family dumpling recipe.

Reviewer: J. Elizabeth Mills | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera. Chef Edna Lewis (1916–2006) brought Southern cooking to the forefront of American cuisine. Growing up in Freetown, Virginia, a place founded by her grandfather and other formerly enslaved people, Edna helped Mama Daisy make meals. With fresh fish in spring, summer garden vegetables, sweet potatoes in fall, and biscuits year-round, Edna and her mother fed their family and community. When she was fifteen, Edna moved to New York, working odd jobs such as typing and answering phones to help support her family. Her work as a seamstress was what got her noticed, however, and she was soon designing and sewing clothes for celebrities. As her star rose in the social circles of New York, she began to host and cater parties using Mama Daisy's recipes, and her food became as famous as her dress designs. She eventually opened her own Manhattan restaurant, where socialites wondered which culinary school in Paris she'd attended. "Her Paris was Freetown, the flavors of home passed down from one generation to the next." Noel make s frequent use of fragmented sentences to punctuate the methodical effort of Edna's work ("Ironing. Cleaning. Cooking. Sending the money she earned back home"). Cabrera's vivid paintings are equally at home depicting the glamour of New York society and the closeness of Freetown's community. Appended with an author's note, additional resources, and a recipe for biscuits.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(2) 4-6 After the death of Nan, the grandmother who had been her guardian, eleven-year-old Mo begins a series of letters to Nan in a notebook. She relates the difficulties of her next steps: an uncle is unwilling to care for her; a foster parent gives her up, overwhelmed in part by challenges including her stress-induced bed-wetting; another placement that looks like it might work out has its own obstacles. A family cookbook (stolen but later returned) makes Mo wish she had meaningful recipes of her own, and the cooking project the book inspires grows into a food website. She uses that platform to solicit other people's recipes--and to put the word out that she's in search of blood relatives. Mo, imperfections and all, is a winning heroine surrounded by flawed though mostly well-meaning adults, and her hopes, even those that are long shots, come from an understandable desperation for family and stability, which makes it easy to root for her. Secondary characters are fully realized, with personalities coming through in the interspersed recipes' directions and commentary. To be read with snacks at hand, and perhaps also some tissues.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023