The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate

by Alliah L. Agostini, Taffy Elrod (Primary Contributor), Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator)

Celebrate and explore Juneteenth with your kids through Black American food and cultural traditions.

A commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, the Juneteenth holiday has been observed in the Black community for over 150 years. In The Juneteenth Cookbook , author of the popular children’s book and winner of the 2022 Black Kid Lit Award for Best Historical title  The Juneteenth Story , Alliah L. Agostini, brings the tradition to your home through historically accurate recipes and educational family activities .

With captivating illustrations of  quick and easy recipes , follow along with little Alliah and her grandparents as they explore the historical origins of the holiday through food. Make, share, and enjoy kid-friendly takes on some of the most popular Juneteenth celebration foods ,
 
Keep the celebration going with fun and educational activities like creating an African medallion necklace and designing your own Juneteenth gear with block printing, or discover the music of the holiday with Alliah’s Cookout DJ 101 tutorial. There are also suggested on-site or virtual field trips for families, community groups, or classes that bring elements of the road to emancipation and Juneteenth’s history to life.

The Juneteenth Cookbook offers kids and families a sensory-rich, hands-on exploration of this important American holiday.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, Holiday, Childrens, History

72 pages, Hardcover

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

Buffalo, NY native Alliah L. Agostini has marketed everything from tampons to scrappy start-ups, but motherhood helped her return to her first love: children's literature. She writes to spread joy, truth, and to help more children see themselves reflected on the page.

Alliah is a member of KidLit in Color, Black Creators HQ, the Picture Book Sunrays, and SCBWI. She has been a guest on a number of podcasts, and has also been featured on CNN and in the Washington Post. Ms. Agostini resides in New Jersey where she enjoys impromptu dance parties, fossil hunting, and making up corny jokes with her husband and two children. She has an A.B. and an M.B.A. from Harvard.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Juneteenth Cookbook is a fun and colourful cookbook for children with 18 different recipes for them to make as well as the inclusion of why people celebrate Juneteenth.
The book is simple and easy to use and follow with step-by-step instructions and contains educational yet fun activities for children and families to do together to celebrate this historic occasion.
The dishes themselves are simple versions of traditional dishes made to celebrate Juneteenth and have been adapted to be child friendly and simple for them to make mostly independentantly.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

FDLibrary | Cheerful illustrations, well-written recipes, informative text, very accessible for young readers | This is a great choice for getting kids excited about a Juneteenth celebration, it's honest about the reason for the observance but never loses the positive feel that young kids need when introduced to the topic. I wish there had been more game options that include disabled celebrants, maybe a wheelchair user in one of the images, and I think the t-shirt printing instructions were very confusing, but those are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent book.

[Kina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Cookbook with easy recipes for kids and adults. I can't wait to try the rub seasoning. I also love the art projects and extras that come with the Cookbook.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this book.

[Karen Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate is a cookbook geared for children loaded with crafts and activities meant to celebrate Juneteenth. It’s loaded with information on the fairly new holiday in the US, and the information is fun and will make families want to celebrate.

This cookbook includes eighteen recipes to serve on the holiday. While the recipes will appeal to almost everyone, especially children, and also picky eaters, the recipes aren’t particularly innovative or unique, and are for typical dishes served at any barbecue throughout the summer. The recipes are simple and written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions. Older children will easily be able to follow these recipes, although it’s always better if an adult is present.

The cookbook is very colorful, and even though there are no photographs of the dishes, there are cute illustrations that will give the children an idea of what the dishes should look like.
All told, this is a fun cookbook for kids. It is a bit pricey for the number of recipes included, but it is one that will be passed down to new generations of kids who need to know about the holiday.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

[A Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The start of the book explains that Juneteenth celebrates when Union troops "enforced the news that enslaved African people in Texas had been emancipated." I had not realized, until the book taught me, that Juneteenth was the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983! The author also explains that this book "requires minimal, if any, adult involvement, though supervision is recommended for all of them" which is neat! Agostini touches on two different theories about why red foods are commonly served at Juneteenth celebrations and explains that many of the recipes feature foods that "made the transatlantic voyage from Africa", too. The sections of the cookbook include drinks, appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts. I love that the letter "i" is dotted with a heart on the pages that introduce each section. Each section also has an activity at the end, such as playing Mancala or taking a field trip. I love the explanations given about the importance of the food as well as the illustrations featured for each recipe. This book is a unique addition to Juneteenth lesson plans.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Fun recipes that all have meaning. Not only do the recipes look delicious and kid friendly, but the book is full of educational information about Juneteeth and the recipes. I enjoyed how every aspect of the celebration is included in the book, from games to music.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate by Alliah L. Agostini with Chef Taffy Elrod, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud (2024)
126-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Cookbook, History - Emancipation, Children's Nonfiction, Holiday - Juneteenth; Picture Book

Featuring: Table of Contents, Historical Explanations, Family Commentary, Introduction - The History of Juneteenth, How to Use this Book to Celebrate, Juneteenth, Symbolism, Food & Tools; Drinks, Create, QR Codes, Appetizers, Play, Mains, Explore, Sides, Make, Desserts, Dance - Setup and Playlists, Resources - Books and Websites

Rating as a movie: PG

Songs for the soundtrack: Features Multiple Playlists

Books and Authors mentioned: in Resources

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🥤🍉🥗🍖🌭🍛🍰🥧

My thoughts: I appreciate all of the illustrations of the food but she completely lost my faith when I saw she had kernels in her cornbread. After that, it was just interesting. I was a little upset because I did not read this book right away it happened in my TVR for a very long time when I finally decided to get it somebody else wants it too even though it's completely out of season these are mostly summer recipes. I wanted to try some of the recipes so I was not excited about giving it back and I'm one of those people who have a very hard time keeping a book if I know somebody else is waiting for it. But after I saw that I knew it was gonna be a read and enjoy situation, I am probably not gonna try out any of these recipes other than the drinks. Don't get me started on the deviled eggs. Overall these recipes are less big mama and more of Gibbons or Cheddars. I personally would not feed them to my family but I could definitely see a little kid trying some of them out they are pretty simple, and likely bland.

Recommend to others: I definitely recommend you read this book the stories before the recipe were the best part the actual recipes leave a lot to be desired. The playlists and activities are pretty good.

Memorable Quotes: Even though Juneteenth had been observed for over 150 years, in 2021 President Joe Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, creating a federal holiday to celebrate this important day. This is the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

While menus vary from celebration to celebration, Juneteenth has some special traditions, as well as common but historically relevant foods that can satisfy any flavor preferences or taste palettes.

Keep an eye out for the icons next to certain steps in the recipes. This will tell you when you should ask for help.

Juneteenth is a family and a community celebration. Reconnecting with blood and chosen family was especially important after emancipation and continues to be today. I’m excited for you to join me (Alliah!) and my grandparents as we walk through each recipe and activity in the book. Let’s get started!

Red-colored foods are commonly served on Juneteenth. While people have different thoughts about how this tradition started, some people say red foods represent our ancestors’ bloodshed during the slave trade and in the fight for freedom. It shares this meaning when used alongside the colors black and green to compose the Pan-African flag, where black stands for the people and green for the land. However, others connect it to the kola nut, a nut used in some West African ceremonial traditions. The nut gives off a red color when boiled, a color that symbolizes strength. Most foods eaten at that time were white, green, and brown, so there was also a novelty associated with eating red-colored treats.

Note: The rotisserie chicken in this recipe can be store-bought.

Vegetarians and vegans can modify this recipe by replacing the chicken with sautéed or grilled seitan, tofu, mushrooms, or other meat alternatives. Don’t worry, the sauce will still be bangin’!

Never ever add raisins to this (or any other) potato salad.

This vegetarian-friendly barbeque staple brings navy beans to a sweet, savory, and saucy new level. You may never buy them premade again!

James Hemings, an enslaved man who was Thomas Jefferson’s head chef, popularized macaroni and cheese in the United States after learning how to make it in France.

You can’t have a Juneteenth celebration without a red velvet treat of some kind on the table!

Note: A lot of these songs are “throwbacks.” We’re trying to get everyone, from the kids to the elders, to shake what their mama gave them!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colorful, vibrantly illustrated book features kid-friendly recipes and activities for Juneteenth, and it also explains the history of this holiday. The historical aspect was surprisingly detailed and solid, and it's a great addition to the book. Even people who are already very familiar with Juneteenth may learn new things here.

The recipes mostly involve typical barbecue fare, with some specific African American cultural flavor for many of the dishes. I thought it was awesome that the author included short descriptions about the cultural significance and history of different foods, instead of jumping straight to the cooking prep. These short blurbs will be educational for kids and adults.

The recipes have clear instructions, along with a symbol to indicate when a step requires adult assistance. The recipes vary in difficulty, and kids with some experience in the kitchen may be able to complete some independently. The book doesn't include photos of the recipes, but there are detailed, appetizing illustrations of the different dishes. The author also occasionally notes substitution options for people whose diets are vegetarian, vegan, or dye-free.

In addition the recipes, this book includes ideas for games, activities, and crafts to do in anticipation of Juneteenth or during a Juneteenth celebration. I expected this book to almost exclusively focus on food, and I was pleasantly surprised that the author included so many different craft ideas. She also includes some playlist and dance suggestions. Overall, I was very impressed with this book, and I would definitely recommend it.

I received a free copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

[BethK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a pre-release e-book obtained through NetGalley, provided by the publisher.

This is a children's cookbook. Of course, there are cautions that all activities in the book be done only with adult supervision. In addition to the recipes, there are suggestions for arts, crafts, games, and outdoor activities. What’s more, there is a great deal of historical information about how slaves were brought to the US, when, the history of slavery and emancipation, slavery specifically in Texas, and what Juneteenth celebrates.

The recipes are easy, with clear directions that children of all ages can follow using inexpensive, everyday ingredients available at any supermarket, producing foods that most Americans will recognize. Some of these recipes and styles of cooking are new to me, as an adult who has been cooking all of my life, and I cannot wait to try them. Each recipe has the resulting foods beautifully illustrated.

The games, crafts, and activities have their instructions, directions, or rules concisely described in a way that most children above about 8 could understand and perform them, if they desired – with adult supervision. These are things which could be fun for the whole family, perhaps including others.

[Andreea · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Firstly this is a great book to teach kids about the Juneteenth history and celebration, and secondly this is a bloody amazing cookbook for kids!

I love cookbooks for kids. I grew up with a Donald Duck cookbook that I still own (it's my most used cookbook) and I still make recipes from it, but not only that, I have fond memories of learning to cook as a kid using this cookbook and surprising my parents with crepes and mashed potatoes and, my absolute favourite (to this day), the perfect cucumber sandwich recipe!

So I am convinced that this cookbook will mean just as much for the little ones growing with it.

The best part about it? Other than kid friendly recipes, are the illustrations for the recipes! They are absolutely gorgeous and I saved more recipes from this little cookbook than any other cookbook read recently. It's a gem! I am especially excited to try some of the drinks and desserts!

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun cookbook for the younger set!

Following a brief history of the Juneteenth celebration, and a look at the importance of the color red AND barbeque, the recipes begin. There aren't many - this is a kids' cookbook, after all, and only 37 pages long, but there are some yummy treats to be found: sauces and rubs for the barbecuing (No, it is not recommended that the youngsters man the grill!), appetizers, sides, and desserts. I'm looking forward to trying the Corn Muffins with Hot Honey Butter, and the Sweet Potato Pie Bars.

In addition to the comestibles, there are crafts, games, and even a playlist for dancing.

The illustrations by Sawyer Cloud really make the book special.


Make this June 19th more meaningful by sharing traditions and some of these goodies with your family and friends!

Thanks to NetGalley and becker&mayer! kids for the read.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely fabulous cookbook and perfect to celebrate Juneteenth. I loved how the book shared history and insight to help celebrate the holiday. The recipes are historically accurate and the book is so educational and fun. The book also includes 5 activity sections that are so fun and easy to do with families. We also love Alliah’s Cookout DJ 101 tutorial. Music and food, a great combination. We loved the feeling of celebrating tradition and culture that this book represents. The recipes are easy to follow and clear to understand, even for a novice like me. We had so many favorites, like the Chow Chow, Heavenly Deviled Eggs and Red Velvet Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches. Your family is going to love this cookbook and it will quickly become a tradition with celebrating Juneteenth. It would also be great to use in classrooms and homeschool activities.

[Camisha BookishlyCultivated · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing brings people together like food! I love this book as a starting point for those who want to celebrate Juneteenth but are unsure on how to begin or what to start with. The Introduction, How To Use, and Symbolism are all so important and I'm happy it's there for those that need it. The games, field trips, crafts, are an amazing touch for a well-rounded celebration! The recipes are perfect to do together with family and some are simple enough for children to do on their own.

Favorites that we'll try are Jubilee Tea, Heavenly Deviled Eggs, Pulled Chicken Sliders, and Watermelon Snow Cups!

I HIGHLY recommend this book for any Juneteenth Celebration or a foodie!

Thank you to Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Juneteenth Cookbook by Alliah L. Agostini is such a cute family cookbook!
I loved the way Agostini worked in so much Black history with each recipe. This book is family-friendly and would be an exceptional tool to teach the history of Juneteenth in a way children of all ages would understand.
Build your Juneteenth party around this book! There are games, a cookout playlist and 18 recipes for traditional foods to take your party to the next level.
I look forward to purchasing the hard copy of this book to give to my family members this summer!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, the author and the illustrator for my copy.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally love to cook recipes from all cultures and people. This book is a good cookbook for many reasons. I liked learning the history of Juneteenth and the traditions of the holiday. From games, trips, suggested music, crafts and of course the delicious recipes book is very informative. I have a few I am definately going to try like the Red Lemonade, Corn Muffins with Hot Honey Butter, Sweet Potato Pie Bars and Saucy Pulled Chicken Sliders with Bangin BBQ Sauce. I like the book is easy for children to understand and has a symbol of when to ask for help for safety. The llustrations are enjoyable and fun to look at. This cookbook is a keeper and can be passed down from child to child.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook is a delightful combination of information about the Juneteenth holiday as well as mouthwatering recipes. Not only that but there are activities to do at a Juneteenth celebration and ideas for road trips to museums to visit and places that hold Juneteenth celebrations and festivals.
Recipes include strawberry lemonade, quick pickles, BBQ - including the sauce, Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas with rice), and sweet potato pie bars - to name just a few. All recipes can be made by children with adult supervision and most are made with fresh ingredients as opposed to canned or processed foods. The BBQ gives options for vegetarians as well.
Recommend!

[Miranda YEUNG · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Juneteenth Cookbook
Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate
by Alliah L. Agostini

I found the perfect family cookbook! This is the most attractive and drooling food illustrations I have ever seen. The recipes are creative and fun! This cookbook includes drinks, appetizers, main, sides and desserts. I already wrote my shopping list to create few dishes with my family.

It is more than a cookbook, because some diy and games are also found inside!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, the author and the illustrator for my copy.

Pub date: Apr 2, 2024

[Chelsea Bushman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style of this children’s cookbook is beautiful and that the author made herself into the character you get to follow through the book helps to connect the reader to them is such a cute way. I can’t wait to run to the store and pick up some ingredients for the recipes shared in this book. I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into how others celebrate Juneteenth through the non cooking activities peppered throughout the book. They are all very approachable crafts and activities that do not always require a ton of supervision to be completed.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this one. Very informative for kids. The interactive activities were a good idea . The recipes are kid friendly, easy to make with some adult supervision & sound delicious. I’m going to make a few especially the sweet potato bars. The cookbook even gives the history of Juneteenth & lists some places to visit to learn more.

I would most definitely recommend this interactive cookbook.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Gaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a true joy to experience. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. There's a short, easy to understand overview on the history of Juneteeth in the beginning and extremely easy versions of traditonal recipes making this a must for a family with small children. I went into this expecting only recipes but the author also included a wonderful Juneteenth playlist and a few activities like block printing tshirts, handmade medallions, places to visit and quite a few games. I urge everyone to pick up this book and share it with your children, neices, nephews, cousins, ANYONE!

[Brynna Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes with recipes and fun activities for Juneteenth! I live in Galveston, home of Juneteenth, and now that it's a national holiday more people need to learn about it and how to celebrate! It has has a section for tools needed for the recipes which I love. Art for the recipes is stellar! The recipes are sectioned by type: drinks, appetizers, etc. Each of those sections is bracketed by an activity! This is a great book with good food, fun, and a bit of an education for all ages!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – becker & mayer! kids for the ARC! ♥

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief summary: This nonfiction children's book includes 18 recipes for a Juneteenth celebration. There is a little blurb with each recipe telling the significance of the food.

The book has a brief history of Juneteenth and is divided into Drinks, Appetizers, Mains, Sides, and Desserts. Each section includes an activity idea.

Comments: This book contains the history of the holiday, along with recipes, explanations, illustrations, and fun activities for this special day.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

[LaCricia A'ngelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational, fun, and delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook. Not only did it offer great recipes but there was great historical information regarding Juneteenth. In addition there were spectacular activities my family can participate in for future gatherings. I believe the author did an excellent job on this book. I will be looking forward to future books by them.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley

[Tonya Abari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful follow up to Agostini's The Juneteenth Story. This cookbook is loaded with beautiful illustrations as well as tons of fun activities and recipes to commemorate Juneteenth. I am thrilled to introduce my own children to the holiday through these activities – and of course the food. Grandma's 'Calico potato salad tastes better than mine! HA! I think I'm going to sneak in this one this year as opposed to Mama Abari's (shhhhh!). Definitely recommend adding this to your library.

[Kassie Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is WONDERFUL!
This book is a resource to learn more about Juneteenth, as well as how it should be celebrated. This book gives lots of tips and ideas on how to celebrate from food, to activities, to music! The Juneteenth Cookbook also gives you historical locations across the country to learn about or travel to, to celebrate.
I also LOVED the art work throughout the book. It was consistent and flowed nicely through the entire book.

[Leah Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for young middle-level readers. Not just a cookbook! Age appropriate information about Juneteenth history, African American and Black culture, and holiday traditions sprinkled throughout. Accessible activities and crafts are intermixed with recipes. Book is illustrated and visually organized with multiple color schemes. This book would be great to read during Black History month, especially for brainstorming topics for research projects.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes above and beyond the average cookbook. It offers a plethora of Juneteenth ideas--everything from crafts to field trips to games and beyond. If you plan to celebrate Juneteenth, this book offers a solid resource of information.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Juneteenth Cookbook was a treat to read. It’s chock-full of recipes, activities, and the stories behind them. There’s a lot to learn about this holiday and ways to celebrate it. Both kids and adults are sure to find things that resonate with them, whether it’s a familiar or new food, a musical activity, or a craft that's fun from start to finish.

[Gabriele Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agostini, Elrod and Cloud have teamed up to create a vibrant kid-friendly cookbook filled with favorite recipes, fun activities and ideas for historical field trips, all designed to draw kids in and get them excited for Juneteenth fun as they learn about the history of the holiday the foods they will create. A fun, informative and delicious treat for families!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good book! Delicious recipes, history of the holiday and why we celebrate it, ideas for cookouts (even Playlist ideas and games to play), etc. I recommend it wholly if you are hoping to learn about Juneteenth itself or just want some ideas about how to celebrate it more meaningfully. Bonus? Some of the cutest illustrations ever!