Skip to Content
Select language, opens an overlay
Hours & Location, opens an overlay Help, opens an overlay
Main navigation Events
Open search form
0 messages from the library
  • General Recommendations
  • Staff-Created List

Picture Books That Celebrate Food and Culture

Picture books that celebrate food and culture offers young readers a delightful journey through diverse culinary traditions from around the world. These stories combine vibrant illustrations with engaging narratives to explore how food connects us to our cultural roots and brings people together across different backgrounds. #WelcomeCLT #Welcoming #Food

Library Staff
User from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

20 items

  • Ramen for Everyone

    Tanumihardja, Patricia
    The story of a boy trying to make the perfect bowl of ramen, it can take time but it’s worth it. The book even includes a ramen recipe.
    Picture Book, 2023New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2023]

  • Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner

    Dalton, Angela
    Explores African American tradition of family reunions in America.
    Picture Book, 2021New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2021]

  • The Runaway Wok

    a Chinese New Year Tale

    Compestine, Ying Chang
    A magical story about a runaway wok during the Chinese New Year.
    Picture Book, 2011New York : Dutton Children's Books, [2011]

  • Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu

    Compestine, Ying Chang
    A Chinese retelling of the Rapunzel story that features a unique twist, complete with a delicious recipe for Non-Stinky Pan-Fried Tofu.
    Picture Book, 2024New York : Rocky Pond Books, 2024.

  • Bilal Cooks Daal

    Saeed, Aisha
    Children from an American neighborhood learn about an India dish called Daal, complete with a delicious recipe for Chana Daal.
    Picture Book, 2019New York : Salaam Reads, [2019]

  • Fortune Cookie Fortunes

    Lin, Grace
    Discover the joy of fortune cookies.
    Picture Book, 2004New York : Alfred A. Knopf, [2004]

  • Luna's Yum Yum Dim Sum

    Yim, Natasha
    A playful exploration of division and fractions, featuring Chinese American characters and delicious foods.
    Picture Book, 2020Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, 2020.

  • May Your Life Be Deliciosa

    Genhart, Michael,
    Explores Hispanic traditions of food in America.
    Picture Book, 2021Petaluma, California : Cameron Kids, 2021.

  • Watercress

    Wang, Andrea
    A Chinese American girl learns a new appreciation for foraging for food after hearing about her mothers experiences as a child in China.
    Picture Book, 2021New York : Holiday House, [2021]

  • Dinner on Domingos

    Katona, Alexandra
    Warm memories wash over a first-generation Latinx American girl as she experiences a typical Sunday night dinner at her Abuelita’s house. Includes a recipe for Locro.
    Picture Book, 2021Concord, MA : Barefoot Books, 2021.

  • A Song of Frutas

    Engle, Margarita,
    Margarita Engle takes us to Cuba where a child visits her abuelo who is a street vedor.
    Picture Book, 2021New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2021]

  • Salma the Syrian Chef

    Ramadan, Ahmad Danny,
    When Salma’s mom is feeling down she decides to cheer her up by making a Syrian dish of foul shami.
    Picture Book, 2020Toronto ; Berkeley : Annick Press, 2020.

  • Lunch From Home

    Stein, Joshua David
    Students learn to embrace their unique food traditions in the lunch room.
    Picture Book, 2022New York : Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2022.

  • Halal Hot Dogs

    Aziz, Susannah
    Explores Muslim traditions in America.
    Picture Book, 2021New York, NY : Little Bee Books, 2021.

  • Empanadas for Everyone

    Azúa Kramer, Jackie
    A young girl gathers and prepares the dish while learning from others in her community. Includes a recipe for beef or chicken Puerto Rican empanadas.
    Picture Book, 2023New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023.

  • Masala Chai, Fast and Slow

    LaRocca, Rajani
    The story of a young child who learns that good things can be rushed as he learns to make a great cup of cha
    Picture Book, 2023Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023.

  • The Perfect Sushi

    Satoko Seo, Emily
    Miko is trying to make the perfect sushi for her Japanese grandmother’s birthday. She learns that anything made with heart is perfect. The back of the book includes a recipe for sushi.
    Picture Book, 2023Concord, MA : Barefoot Books, 2023.

  • World Pizza

    Meng, Cece
    A simple but sweet message about finding common ground and bringing people together through food.
    Picture Book, 2017New York : Sterling Children's Books, [2017]

  • Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

    Zhang, Kat, 1991-
    The story of a little girl trying to learn the tricky technique of learning to make Bao, a Chinese dumpling. Includes a receipe for homemade Bao.
    Picture Book, 2019New York : Aladdin, 2019.

  • Kalamata's Kitchen

    Thomas, Sarah (Sommelier)
    Explore the Indian spice market with Kalamata and her alligator side kick.
    Picture Book, 2021New York : Random House, [2021]

Powered by BiblioCommons.

NERF:nerf17 Version 9.35.0@ec8d43f2 Last updated 2026/04/28 15:30 Built 2026/03/25 17:16