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Cover of Book Review Fry Bread A Native American Family Story

Book Review Fry Bread A Native American Family Story

by Kevin Noble Maillard

Book Details

Publisher:Roaring Brook Press
Published:2019-10-22
Pages:25
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1626727465

Reading Info

Age Range:3-7

About This Book

Winner of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal A 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner β€œA wonderful and sweet book . . . Lovely stuff.” β€”The New York Times Book Review Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal. Fry bread is food. It is warm and delicious, piled high

Our Review

This beautifully illustrated picture book uses the simple act of making fry bread as a powerful lens into modern Native American family life and culture. Through lyrical, rhythmic verse, the story explores how this staple food represents far more than a mealβ€”it embodies history, community, and the resilience of a people. Each page spread connects fry bread to different facets of identity, from its shape and sound to the traditions it sustains within families and across generations. The warm, evocative artwork perfectly complements the text, inviting young readers into a vibrant, contemporary kitchen filled with connection.

What makes this family story so distinctive is its seamless blend of a universal cooking experience with specific cultural significance, making it an invaluable addition to any child's library. It serves as both a heartfelt read-aloud about family togetherness and an accessible introduction to Indigenous cultural heritage for early learners. Parents seeking diverse books that celebrate food, family bonds, and cultural pride will find this narrative deeply rewarding. The book leaves a lasting impression of warmth and shared identity, much like the comforting food at its heart.

Themes

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Juvenile Fiction