The Only Way to Make Bread, written by Cristina Quintero and illustrated by Sarah Gonzales. Tundra, Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"Grab a handful of this, 
and a dash of that, 
mix in a bit of this
and finish with a 
splash of that." 

I have read that, in many places around the world, eating a "lucky" meal on the first day of the new year brings good luck for the days to come. To that end, I thought I woould share this perfectly delightful book about making and sharing bread as a community.  

The opening scene is an apartment building and its residents. Their destination is the community kitchen. They are gathering for a shared experience - bread baking. Each family brings the ingredients needed for their contribution to the feast. The counter is cleared, necessary equipment is chosen, and the bakers get ready. Ingredients are found; the work begins in earnest. 

Readers watch as the whole community works to make the breads that are unique to their own cultures, in a warm and inviting atmosphere. There are focaccia, challah, bao, bannock, dinner buns, puri, and more. When the dough is ready, it is shaped, rolled, and braided to prepare it for the oven.

"Next, you'll need to cook it or 
bake it of fry it in a pan. The 
pan can be heavy and round or 
tall and rectangular. You might 

use a flat pan or perhaps no 
pan at all. Just grilled over the 
stovetop instead."

The ways of cooking bread are as diverse as the types of bread, the people who bring their culture to the shared preparations, and the aromas that permeate the warm kitchen. When bread is made the way YOU make it, you know the most important ingredient is love. What a glorious experience for all! Paired with artwork created 'with colored pencils, edited digitally and baked until golden brown', the kitchen comes to full and glorious life in a cheerful palette of gold, orange, green, and brown. The always-changing perspectives bring readers up close and personal with everyone and everything that is happening here. 

There is an illustrated glossary with descriptions of the breads featured in the story, as well as two recipes to try. Wouldn't it be exciting to try one or both at home and in the classroom?