Summary
Readers can engage in a wonderful celebration and rhyming book about the amazing food of dumplings. They can follow ten diverse families as they cook dumplings inside their homes to prepare for a neighborhood potluck. Dumplings are added to plates one by one, encouraging children to count with each new addition. Authentic recipes for all the dumplings and a map showing their regions of origin are included in the end.
Theme(s):
diversity, traditions, culture
Personal Response
I thought this book provided great experience with learning about
Asian American culture, especially a food that is so prevalent in that culture. Since I work in a district that is predominately Asian, this was a wonderful way for me to feel integrated and knowledgeable about the students I have. It also helps me to be introduced to new foods that I may not have been exposed to before.
Teaching Ideas
Students will have the opportunity to bring in food of their choice from their culture for everyone to try. Then, the students will be able to share, alongside their parents, the different components that go into making the food such as the ingredients, steps for making it, when to eat it, the way in which to eat it, etc. This will provide students with background information about each culture and the foods that help to create their traditions.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04
