Soul Food Sunday
What’s inside...
Granny teaches her grandson to cook the family meal in this loving celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table. On Sundays, everyone gathers at Granny's for Soul Food. But today, the narrator follows Granny instead of going to the backyard or the great room, as he is now old enough to learn how to cook. Together, they grate cheese, clean greens, and prepare meat for the grill. After they finish cooking, the grandson makes his own contribution, sweetening the gathering and the many more to come. The story, evocatively written and vividly illustrated, is a warm celebration of tradition and coming together at a table filled with love and delicious food.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you feel when you help cook meals with our family? What's your favorite part?
What are some traditions that our family has? How do they make you feel?
Can you think of a time when food brought our family together? What was special about it?
Why do you think Grandma insists everyone helps in the kitchen?
If you could add a dish to our family meals, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, share a personal story about a family meal or cooking experience to create a connection.
Ask your child to describe how the illustrations in the book make them feel, and relate those feelings to the themes of family and tradition.
Encourage your child to think about their senses — ask what smells and tastes they imagine when reading about the family meals.
After reading the book, spend time cooking a small recipe together, discussing each step and its importance, tying back to the book’s themes.
Encourage your child to think about how they can contribute to family traditions, just like the protagonist in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family traditions
Explanation: In 'Soul Food Sunday', the story centers around a young boy learning to cook traditional dishes under the guidance of his grandmother. The narrative emphasizes the significance of passing down family recipes and customs.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to participate in family cooking sessions, helping to preserve cultural heritage and strengthen familial bonds.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The protagonist and his family members come together to prepare a soul food meal, demonstrating how collaborative efforts can lead to a successful outcome.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of collaborating with others to accomplish tasks more effectively, which can be applied in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Learning new skills
Explanation: The young boy learns specific cooking techniques from his grandmother, highlighting the valuable skill-building aspect of the experience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to learn new skills from elders or mentors, fostering a growth mindset and lifelong learning attitude.
Example Lesson: Pride in cultural heritage
Explanation: The dishes prepared are a testament to the family’s cultural identity, instilling a sense of pride in their traditions.
Real-World Application: Children can explore and embrace their cultural background, which can help in building self-identity and confidence.
Example Lesson: Generosity and sharing
Explanation: After cooking, the family sits down to share the meal with each other, underscoring the joy of sharing and generosity.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of sharing with others, fostering kindness and community spirit in their everyday interactions.