Stay for Dinner by Sandhya Parappukkaran illustrated by Michelle Pereira

 

"I love dinner time with my family, especially when friends are invited."

On special days Reshma eat sadhya, a traditional multi-course vegetarian meal served on banana leaves. This is very different from the meals she shares in the homes of her friends - Charlotte's mum serves roast chicken, carrots, peas, and pumpkin and the family use knives and forks to eat their meal.

"I wonder why we don't use cutlery. Papa always says the food tastes better when we eat it with our hands."

At Phoebe's place the family eat noodles, and dumplings using chop sticks. And the next day at Leo's Reshma joins them for spaghetti and meatballs - twirled around forks. 

Mama suggests they should thank everyone for taking care of Reshma. Everyone is invited for dinner. 

"Will my friends laugh? Eating with hands is not like ting-ting cutlery or click-clack chopsticks."

All of this reminded me of Amma's Sari and the anxiety of that little girl when she thought her mum looked different. Young Reshma is also worried about being embarrassed and she's worried about how the other parents will react to eating with their hands from banana leaves. Not to mention the burping!

Publisher blurb: Reshma loves dinnertime with her family. Her family eat with their hands – not just finger food type–eating, but hands-on squishy eating. When she’s invited to stay for dinner at her friends’ places, she finds out that they all eat in different ways. Some go ting ting with their cutlery, and others go click clack with their chopsticks. So what will her friends say when they see her family eat with their hands?

There is some delicious language in this book: keepie-uppies; jostle; ting-ting; prong; click clack; clickety-clack; swish swish; splatters; rice rains down; sambar splashes; pappadum smashes. 

Here are a set of teachers notes from the publisher. These notes also include a fabulous and extensive book list with terrific titles to source and share with your class. 

I thought of this one - long out of print but it might be in your school library:

Each page is a delight for ears and eyes, an invitation to explore and enjoy the richness and variety of the food eaten by these happy families ...  Storylinks

This story explores how kindness and being open to new ideas and possibilities, without judgement, can break down fears; empowering one to embrace new experiences, leading to an increased understanding and appreciation for diverse ways of being. Reading opens doors

Australia is a multicultural country and many schools or should I say the majority of schools in my state of New South Wales would have children from so many places around the world. Oddly though, my former school did not. There were only a handful of children across the school who came from UK, South Africa and one or two from USA - and that's out of a school population of 850+. My former school had a sister school relationship with another school in a different part of Sydney and that school had children from over 60 different countries. All of that means this book is an even more important one to share with students in any school - it will be affirming for many children and hopefully create awareness and empathy in others.  

This is the third book by Sandhya and Michelle.  I was on the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) judging panel when their first book was submitted for the New Illustrator award. AND YES it was the winner! I am going to predict that Stay for Dinner will be on the CBCA Picture Book Notables list for 2024 and it has a good chance of reaching the shortlist too. (I am not a judge for this round). 

Read more about this book here. 

Amma's Sari

Hello my name is Ruby by Philip C. Stead

This is a deceptively simple picture book that follows the pattern of "Are you my mother?"  Although in this case Ruby would like to find a friend, perhaps find out where she fits in or maybe find "her tribe" . She has lovely manners. She talks to a number of different birds and is able to share experiences such as flying and walking and she discovers there are many ways to see the world. Even though many of the other birds do respond to Ruby no one seems to actually want to be her friend. 

Ruby stands alone, in the rain, singing a sad song. Finally the sun comes out and a curious bird called 'Skeep-wock' comes along. He has heard the name Ruby (ROOO-bee) before. This is the most wonderful news because he takes he to meet a whole flock of birds who look and sound just like her. Then, as with the best picture books, the next page will give you a gasp and a smile.

Good news this book was published in 2013 but it is still available and in paperback. This book would make a lovely gift for a young child aged 3-5 and should be part of every preschool book collection.

Ruby is a diminutive, yellow bird whose frequent introductions are a touch formal: “I am glad to meet you.” She fearlessly initiates conversation with much bigger birds and is the kind of friend who offers ideas and is willing to try the suggestions of others. Kirkus Star review

With illustrations rendered in chalk pastel, colored pencils, and colored ink, Stead tells a story that all children should be able to identify with: that of making friends. Ruby, a little yellow bird with blue-tipped wings, is out to make friends. She approaches each new bird with an open heart and seems to bring out the best in each bird she meets. Horn Book

A tiny but oh so impressive little bird will steal your heart in this vibrant picture book. Waking Brain Cells

My name is Bear by Nicola Killen

"Once there was a bear called Bear, 

who had just moved to a new home."

Bear sets off to introduce himself to his new neighbours. Bear has no idea about the other animals that live in the world. He has an egocentric idea that his name is the best name in the whole world so when Bird and Fish say hello he declares their names are just silly. In the corner of the page a little worm adds an appropriate commentary - "how rude" he says.  The next neighbours are snail and tortoise. Bear comments that these names are silly. The little worm says "This bear has such bad manners!". Things get even worse when he meets an elephant.

"What? Smelly pants?' laughed Bear."

Bear is, however, not prepared for the next neighbour. It is another bear and her name is Bear. Our original bear screams and throws an enormous tantrum. How can someone else have his own beautiful name. The new bear suggests a compromise. The discuss a few ideas but finally decide they can share the name and "they celebrated with a big bear hug!"

The two bears now set off back through the neighborhood with Bear apologising for his initial rudeness. Everything seems be settled. All the animals of the forest are happy UNTIL, a few days later, a new neighbour arrives. He looks like a bear.  "Hello ... my name is ... "

This book is such fun. I am so glad I have discovered it. A perfect book to share with a preschool child aged 3-5.

Ideal for little ones who are going to preschool for the first time or learning to play with others, this funny story introduces children to key themes such as sharing, manners and learning to accept others as they are. Egmont

I am talking to a group of preschool parents about reading to children.You may recall I did this at the end of last year. This means I have begun to collect more titles to share with this group and with you.