Description
A picture book about a lively evening in a community kitchen from Governor General’s Award–winning author and illustrator Jillian Tamaki.
Tie on your apron!
Roll up your sleeves!
Pans are out, oven is hot.
The kitchen’s all ready,
Where do we start?
In this lively, rousing picture book from Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki, a crew of resourceful neighbours come together to prepare a meal for their community. With a garden full of produce, a joyfully chaotic kitchen and a friendly meal shared at the table, Our Little Kitchen is a celebration of full bellies and people looking out for one another.
Includes two recipes and an author’s note about the volunteering experience that inspired the book.
Key Text Features
illustrated recipes
author's note
speech bubbles
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4
Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
Author Bio
JILLIAN TAMAKI is a Canadian cartoonist and illustrator whose art has appeared in comics, picture books and even storyboards for the popular TV show Adventure Time. She has written and illustrated the picture books Our Little Kitchen, winner of the Eisner Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, among other honours, and They Say Blue, winner of the Governor General’s Award. She is a co-creator with her cousin, Mariko Tamaki, of the YA graphic novels This One Summer and Skim. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Prizes
- Marilyn Baillie Picture Book AwardShort-listed 2021
- Washington Post Best Children's BooksCommended 2020
- Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature — Illustrated BooksShort-listed 2020
- New York Times Best Children’s Books of the YearCommended 2020
- Eisner Award — Best Publication for Early ReadersWinner 2021
Review Quote
“[W]hat’s most striking is Tamaki’s gentle but empowering message about the need to be kind.” — Globe and Mail
Review Quote
“[V]ibrant illustrations and fun text.” — Buffalo News
Review Quote
“Our Little Kitchen is a celebration of full bellies and looking out for one another.” — Book Riot
Review Quote
“[T]his color-saturated, mouthwatering whirlwind of a book bursts with energy from the moment its diverse group of characters starts chopping and slicing, whisking and whipping.” — New York Times
Review Quote
“Tamaki’s colors are bright and the energy from the book gives out so much happiness. … The book is about hope and love for each other.” — International Examiner
Review Quote
“The beauty of this story is its versatility. Our Little Kitchen is a joyous explosion of literacy knowledge and feel-good reading.” — ETFO Voice
Review Quote
“Warm and inviting.” — Canadian Children’s Book News
Review Quotes
“Tamaki’s colors are bright and the energy from the book gives out so much happiness. … The book is about hope and love for each other.” — International Examiner
“[W]hat’s most striking is Tamaki’s gentle but empowering message about the need to be kind.” — Globe and Mail
“The beauty of this story is its versatility. Our Little Kitchen is a joyous explosion of literacy knowledge and feel-good reading.” — ETFO Voice
“Our Little Kitchen is a celebration of full bellies and looking out for one another.” — Book Riot
“[V]ibrant illustrations and fun text.” — Buffalo News
“Warm and inviting.” — Canadian Children’s Book News
“[T]his color-saturated, mouthwatering whirlwind of a book bursts with energy from the moment its diverse group of characters starts chopping and slicing, whisking and whipping.” — New York Times
