Family traditions bring families together with fun and connection that often spans generations. In these books, authors celebrate this togetherness as families make food, tell stories, and create lifelong connections. Enjoy!
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
In a beautiful tribute to family and culture, this book uses lyrical language and whimsical illustration to describe the many symbolic meanings of fry bread. From its shape, color, taste, and history, fry bread means more than a meal– it is culture, family, and hope.
Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by C. G. Esperanza
Instead of playing video games with the rest of his cousins, a boy follows his Grandma into the kitchen on Soul Food Sunday. Together, they grate cheese, chop sausage, and prepare the meat. Then, while Grandma naps, the boy makes something special all on his own. This is a delicious story about coming together, helping each other, good food, and family.
Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
With a solo coming up on Sunday morning, the narrator is nervous. Her aunt buys her a new dress, her barber gives advice, and Mama and Daddy share encouragement. She worries that her nerves will still get the better of her, until a special surprise provides all the courage she needs! This is a great story about family, encouragement, and resilience.
Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
It’s Holi, the Indian festival of colors, and Chintoo & Mintoo gather flowers in many different colors. They pluck the petals and grind them into powders. Then they join their parents and neighbors for a fun celebration! This story is a wonderful celebration of family and the joy of togetherness.
Family Reunion by Chad and Dad Richardson, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin
The narrator doesn’t want to attend a family reunion full of people he doesn’t know. But when PopPop whispers in his ear and gives him a hug, things start to change. Maybe a family reunion won’t be so bad after all. With sparse, poetic language and colorful illustrations, this is a great read-aloud story!
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela is WAY TOO LONG! That’s what Alma thinks, that is, until her father tells her the story of each part of her name. Sofia, a grandmother who loved books, José, a grandfather who painted, Candela, a grandmother who stood for what was right—maybe her name isn’t so bad after all! Based on author Juana Martinez-Neal’s experience with her own name while growing up, this story is all about generational love and connection.
Applesauce Day by Lisa Amstutz, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
When she sees the big pot, the narrator knows it’s Applesauce Day! That means her family will drive to the orchard to pick apples before bringing them to Grandma’s house. They boil them in the big pot to make sweet, delicious applesauce. And while they do, they tell stories about the many people who made sweet applesauce in the same pot over the years. This generational story of tradition is as sweet as the apples in their homemade sauce.
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter
In this beautiful story, a boy and his family travel to Grandma’s farm for Daddy’s family reunion. But the boy doesn’t know what to contribute to the last celebration! With cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles, he eats food, listens to stories, goes to church, and finally figures out what he has to give to his mighty family. This is a wonderful story of love and the power of family ties.
May Your Life Be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart, illustrated by Loris Lora
It’s Christmas Eve, and in Rosie’s family, that means making tamales with Abuela! With each ingredient— soft husks, meat, corn meal, and an olive at the center, Abuela tells stories in English and Spanish of family and love. Based on holiday memories of both the author and the illustrator, this book has beautiful, rich illustrations and a warmth that reaches past the pages.
Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds
Violet’s family used to gather at the dinner table, but now Violet’s the only one there. With her dad at the TV, Mom on her phone, and brother on his computer, the table is empty. And then it starts to shrink! Growing a little smaller every day, the table finally disappears! Thankfully, Violet knows just what to do to save her family and their table. This story is a great reminder to parents and kids that time together is never wasted!