Picture Book Friday

 

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.