On weekdays and holidays
Supper or dinner
Powwows and festivals
Moments together
With family and friends
FRY BREAD IS ART
Sculpture, landscape, portrait
Our daily craft ... "
I think that Kevin Noble's decision to share the fry bread tradition in Native American families through repeating phrases is both thoughtful and engaging. It assures that listeners learn about family and those things that connect them. The family it describes is varied, brought together to make fry bread. Everyone helps!
While fry bread is a traditional food for the families in this book, all fry bread is not the same. There are many factors that determine its taste - length of frying time, the cook, the recipe used. No matter what, it is enjoyed by all family members and reminds therm of their long and honored heritage within their communities.
This important book is not only about their fry bread traditions, it is also about history - the history of Native Americans, the arrival and upheaval of European settlers, and the meaning of fry bread itself.
On hearing the words of this book, children will make a connection between history and tradition. It is a testament to courage and survival, and helps to celebrate both.
The illustrations add warmth and needed detail, expressing the love that family connections hold. The images show the diversity within Native American communities, the joy felt in being together, and the ingredients and methods used to create a traditional diet staple. The prominence of the words "Fry Bread" to begin each verse shows that it has meaning in every aspect of life.
"FRY BREAD IS HISTORY
The long walk, the stolen land
Strangers in our own world
With unknown food
We made new recipes
From what we had."
An author's note is lengthy and very informative. Each one of the topics gets a boost in material to be used for providing context when sharing the book and what is included in it. Fry bread is a common connection between the many tribes. A very important addition for classroom and family libraries to encourage discussion about truth and reconciliation.
A recipe is included, and useful back matter. It may also beg a question about what food traditions each family holds.
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