Our Little Kitchen
“Food can be a vehicle for social change. It brings people together in a way that very few other activities can.”
In “Our Little Kitchen,” readers are given behind-the-scenes access to a community of diverse groups of people who come together every Wednesday to prepare a meal for their neighbors.
Ingredients are gathered from the community garden, leftovers, and reimagining new uses for staple pantry items. Anyone who has had to come up with food for a large group knows the value of this particular skill set in the kitchen.
We love the scene where bruised apples are salvaged, and spoiled foods are at least given a sniff test before finally being tossed. No food waste or fancy items needed - foodies need not apply to this kitchen of creative chefs.
Written in a way that sounds like the busy kitchen it is - interrupting clangs, the sizzle of a pan, the playful shouting of instructions and orders - this book is an exciting one to read aloud. We enjoyed every word.
The meal serves an entire neighborhood in more ways than one. It also serves as a vehicle for bringing folks together to catch up, share stories and reconnect. We’re so thankful for this newest release from Jillian Tamaki. She drew upon her own experiences in a community kitchen to make a meaningful, entertaining, and accessible experience for readers of all ages.
Check out the author/illustrator’s website at jilliantamaki.com. We especially love the teaching page that has information on how to write and illustrate your own work.
Some Things to Think About…
What do you notice about meal preparation where you live and what you saw in the book? How is it similar? How is it different?
Where do your groceries come from? If you get them in a grocery store, try to find out where the grocery store gets them - it’s an interesting trail to follow.
Are there community kitchens near you? See what options there are for volunteering and donating!
illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
