The Table, written by Winsome Bingham and Wiley Blevins. Artwork by Jason Griffin. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages

 

"Hot Dog the hound lifts his head. 
I sit staring at a plate of peas. 
"You're not leaving the table 
until you eat them up," Mama says. 
"There are too many starving kids 
in the world." 

But all I want is more corn bread
and pork-fat pinto beans. 

"Come here, Hot Dog," I whisper. 

He eats everything." 

In an interview I read with the authors of this touching story of a kitchen table, they answered questions about its origin. During a conversation they had about family gatherings for special occasions, the kitchen table became a focal point. The decision was made that Mr. Blevins would write it from the perspective of a 'poor, rural Caucasian family while Ms. Bingham would write the second half from the viewpoint of an African American family. Their plan was to pay close attention to the similarities between both, while also making sure that each family was exceptional in its own right.  

The first half introduces the kitchen table that holds the foods they eat, a book the child reads aloud to his illiterate Meemaw, and the pile of bills that the family cannot afford to pay because of illness and unemployment. Too soon, they must move and leave their table behind them. A black carpenter and his family happen upon the table as it sits by the side of the road, and he decides it is worth taking home. Once it is set in the proper spot, it will provide space for 'Momma's coffee, Daddy's crossword, math homework and family game night.' When it is cleaned up, their first meal at the table is warm biscuits and beef stew. As they sit the child begins to imagine the stories the table has to tell. 

" ... families with kids who don't like everything
their mommas make them eat. 

Families with parents that work 
hard and long hours and love each other. 

Families like mine, 
eating and laughing at their table."

Jason Griffin's brilliant textural images direct the reader's attention only to the hands of the book's characters, leaving listeners to determine much about the two families on their own. 

What story might your family table tell?