The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero with illustrations by
Sarah Gonzales
Oh, good times! Every once in a while, I
come across a book that strikes a personal note—as a life-long bread baker—this
was one.
Quintero’s celebration of all kinds of
bread is also a celebration of cultures. Built on a framework of the process,
the narrative unfolds from selecting a work space to breaking bread with a
friend. There’s a delicious variety: Challah, Focaccia, Shokupan, Canadian
Dinner Buns, Arepas, Puri—eleven in all described at the end. What’s your
favorite?
And just in case this enticing list
triggers a sudden need from some fresh, warm bread, recipes for Arepas and
Pandesal are included, too.
Gonzales’s warm, soft-edged drawings pull the reader in to explore the rich depth of detail and create an intimacy paired with a sense of fun.
Loaves, rolls, buns—baked, steamed, or fried—hearty or delicate—stuffed or sliced…
Whatever your preference, make it your
way. And always add a pinch of love!
Here’s
a wonderful story to share with young readers, introduce them to the language
of food, and explore worldwide cultures.
Highly
recommended for home and school libraries.
WINNER of the
Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award, 2024
PRAISE FOR The
Only Way to Make Bread:
"You’ll want to make bread after reading this warmhearted book . . .
the story ensures nothing about this process comes off as precious
except the time spent together. This is . . . a unifying addition to
conversations around community and food literacy." —STARRED REVIEW,
Booklist
"The art, combined with Quintero's graceful text,
results in a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the ordinary, love-filled lives of
individuals from various cultures." —STARRED REVIEW Shelf Awareness
"The warm tones and textures of Gonzales’s colored
pencil illustrations evoke the feeling of being in a kitchen baking bread with
loved ones. . . . A celebration of differences and the commonalities that unite
us." —Kirkus Reviews
"There’s excellent chemistry between Colombian-Canadian
debut author Cristina Quintero’s playful, immersive text and Filipino-Canadian
illustrator Sarah Gonzales’s softly textured, coloured-pencil artwork with
toasty ochre tones and steamy swirls of buttery yellow . . . The Only Way to
Make Bread is perfect for savouring and sharing." —Quill & Quire
"This lively
celebration of bread offers a welcome emphasis on diversity and collaboration.
A warm and engaging read-aloud, it is also an excellent resource for caregivers
and teachers." —School Library Journal
"The Only
Way to Make Bread proves itself to be a new family favourite. With a timeless
message and adorable graphics, this book is certain to be a good read no matter
how old you are." —Young Adulting
"[A]s
appealing as a warm, freshly baked loaf of bread." —CM: Canadian Review of
Materials
"With softly
coloured illustrations, children will explore different ways to make bread. . .
. Recipes at the back of the book will have young chefs excited to try these
delicious variations." —Calgary Herald
About the Author
CRISTINA QUINTERO
is a first-generation Colombian-Canadian of both Afro-Colombian and
Indigenous-Colombian descent. As a child of immigrants, she understands the
importance of stories that go beyond trauma and struggle and instead highlight
the everyday joy that is created within immigrant communities. She grew up in a
neighborhood where one mama filled in for another, so while it was not always
easy, her childhood was always delicious. Thus was born her lifelong love of
food and ideas about community-building through food.
