The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero with illustrations bySarah Gonzales

Oh, good times! Every once in a while, Icome across a book that strikes a personal note—as a life-long bread baker—thiswas one.

Quintero’s celebration of all kinds ofbread 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 afriend. There’s a delicious variety: Challah, Focaccia, Shokupan, CanadianDinner Buns, Arepas, Puri—eleven in all described at the end. What’s yourfavorite?

And just in case this enticing listtriggers a sudden need from some fresh, warm bread, recipes for Arepas andPandesal are included, too.

Gonzales’s warm, soft-edged drawings pullthe reader in to explore the rich depth of detail and create an intimacy pairedwith a sense of fun.

Loaves, rolls, buns—baked, steamed, orfried—hearty or delicate—stuffed or sliced…

Whatever your preference, make it yourway.  And always add a pinch of love!

Here’sa wonderful story to share with young readers, introduce them to the languageof food, and explore worldwide cultures.

Highlyrecommended for home and school libraries.

WINNER of theEzra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award, 2024

PRAISE FOR TheOnly Way to Make Bread:

"You’ll want to make bread after reading this book . . . the story ensures nothing about this process comes off as preciousexcept the time spent together. This is . . . a unifying addition toconversations 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 ofindividuals from various cultures." —STARRED REVIEW Shelf Awareness

"The warm tones and textures of Gonzales’s coloredpencil illustrations evoke the feeling of being in a kitchen baking bread withloved ones. . . . A celebration of differences and the commonalities that uniteus." —Kirkus Reviews

"There’s excellent chemistry between Colombian-Canadiandebut author Cristina Quintero’s playful, immersive text and Filipino-Canadianillustrator Sarah Gonzales’s softly textured, coloured-pencil artwork withtoasty ochre tones and steamy swirls of buttery yellow . . . The Only Way toMake Bread is perfect for savouring and sharing." —Quill & Quire

"This livelycelebration of bread offers a welcome emphasis on diversity and collaboration.A warm and engaging read-aloud, it is also an excellent resource for caregiversand teachers." —School Library Journal

"The OnlyWay to Make Bread proves itself to be a new family favourite. With a timelessmessage and adorable graphics, this book is certain to be a good read no matterhow old you are." —Young Adulting

"[A]sappealing as a warm, freshly baked loaf of bread." —CM: Canadian Review ofMaterials

"With softlycoloured illustrations, children will explore different ways to make bread. . .. Recipes at the back of the book will have young chefs excited to try thesedelicious variations." —Calgary Herald

About the Author

CRISTINA QUINTEROis a first-generation Colombian-Canadian of both Afro-Colombian andIndigenous-Colombian descent. As a child of immigrants, she understands theimportance of stories that go beyond trauma and struggle and instead highlightthe everyday joy that is created within immigrant communities. She grew up in aneighborhood where one mama filled in for another, so while it was not alwayseasy, her childhood was always delicious. Thus was born her lifelong love offood and ideas about community-building through food.