When Alexander Graced the Table

by Alexander Smalls, Denene Millner, Frank Morrison (illustrator)

From James Beard Award–winning chef Alexander Smalls, New York Times bestselling author Denene Millner, and award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison comes a tender celebration of family, traditions, and the little moments shared at the dinner table that make all the difference.

There is nothing young Alexander looks forward to more than Sunday Dinner, the special time after church when the whole family gathers dressed in their Sunday best and ready to share in the best meal of the week.

For the first time, it’s up to Alexander to contribute a dish for the table, something warm and satisfying, with just the right amount of sweetness—something that the whole family will love and, most of all, will make his dad proud. It’s time for Alexander to spread that Sunday joy!

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Family, Cooking, African American, Memoir, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations by Coretta Scott KIng Award winner Frank Morrison and a story based on James Beard Award winning chef Alexander Smalls own childhood make this book a must have for every library and child's book shelf.

Alexander loves to help his mama in the kitchen, and Sunday dinner is a major production in their home. So big, in fact, they'd start planning and cooking on Saturday night. His mama includes his help in every dish: he picks peas and collards from the garden and lemons from the tree, he peels eggs for the potato salad and grates the cheese for mac and cheese. All of this is done with commitment and love. The entire family gathers on Sunday to share the bounty and joy. Even though the dinners are special and filled with love, his papa never seems impressed.

Alexander wishes he could impress his father. One Saturday evening, his mother says
Alexander can make a special dessert for Sunday dinner. He is so proud, and gets right to work, making lemon icebox pie, his father's favorite. Mama puts it on a fancy cake stand and Alexander delivers it to the table. Papa says the pie looks great, and Alexander holds his breath, hoping his father will love the taste. His father takes a bite and is impressed. Alexander beams with pride, and the memory of his father trying his pie and loving it will stay with him forever.

Highly recommended ages 3 and up. When
Alexander Graced the Table will likely be a popular pick in awards this award season.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous picture book about how a young boy discovered the delicious art of cooking. For Alexander, Sunday after church was a very special time because that was when his whole family got together for their weekly Sunday dinner. The family would cook on Saturday night to prepare for their feast and Alexander was always in the middle of all the activity. The only time Alexander wasn't peeling, shredding, or shelling was when he was out back with his father picking the ingredients. Alexander's father never had much to say about the cooking except for reminding everyone not to forget the dessert. Alexander is determined to impress his father by making a special dessert. A beautiful story inspired by Alexander Smalls' life! And don't miss the recipe in the back. Chef Smalls highly recommends this easy to make lemon icebox pie with meringue. Yum!

"The next day after church was done, and Sunday outfits were changed for less fancy clothes, and the cool breeze floated over the Sunday porch table set with care, and Dad and Papa took their places on the ends of the table, and everyone bowed their heads . . . it was time for that Sunday joy."

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story chronicles a Black family’s tradition of preparing Sunday dinner and sharing the best meal of the week with their large extended clan. Like many picture-book bios, however, the wordy tale combines a few too many ideas, including the half-baked notion that kids should cook without adult supervision, especially a dish like beans and weenies that involves using a stove and a recipe like lemon icebox pie that requires handling knives and operating an oven. Yikes! All’s well that ends well, however. Alexander has managed to garner his father’s attention, gain his approval, and satisfy his sweet tooth, plus prove to his mother that he’s capable of helping out in the kitchen. Engaging illustrations take readers back in time to make themselves comfortable in the family home, squirm a bit when Alexander teaches himself how to cook, and take a seat at the table to enjoy a sweet and tangy bite of Alexander’s Lemon Icebox Pie. Endnotes include Alexander’s recipe.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps there needs to be a biography of Alexander Smalls for children also. What a remarkable human. After reading the book, I did a little alexandersmalls.com-ing to find out more. In an interview on CBS he and fellow (yet younger) chef Kwame Onwuachi talk about their paths to becoming restaurateurs. This is an equally compelling story about growing up in the segregated South where going out to eat wasn't an option so everyone cooked at home. Alexander's career as an acclaimed opera singer winning a Grammy and an Oscar also seem worthy of a children's book. So it's profound that the story he tells is of seeking his father's approval on his favorite dessert an ice-box lemon pie all surrounded by the love an encouragement of his large and loving family.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what part of this story I loved more - the illustrations or the text itself. It might be the recipe at the end which looks so easy I just have to try it. Yum!

Sundays are described so perfectly in this book. The feeling of family gathering around and how Alexander takes part in the rituals of this big Sunday dinner feels real. Lived in. This is a perfect story to share after your own Sunday dinner, even if you don't have the same kind of big family energy that this book shows. Let your child see how other families interact - and how they bring their best to the table. Then make a pie together and enjoy it while reading the book a second time through.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday Dinner sounds like quite an occasion in this house! I love that Alexander is such a part of helping his mom with all of the preparations and process. As I was growing up (and still when my family gathers) I often helped peel the potatoes, chop stuff up, etc. Hmm, I guess making a pie to contribute was probably one of the first things I did on my own as well.

I took a picture of the pie recipe in the back because it looks tasty!

It is a sweet story, but it's also sad that the dad seemed so distant...at least he loved the pie!

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sundays are for church and family meals, and Alexander looks forward to helping cook every week. With an eye on impressing his dad, Alexander makes a dessert all by himself for Sunday dinner. A story about self belief and putting yourself out there, Alexander learns he can believe in himself. I didn't love the way Alexander's father tended to ignore him, and to get his attention he had to do something for his dad, but I think this opens the door for communication about the importance of being good enough for yourself.

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. I picked it up because I liked the title, and the themes of family and the care that goes in to Sunday dinner's food were lovely paired with the character of Alexander, who is growing up and beginning to be able to contribute like the older members of the family. It's not too long for a read aloud, and little boys will likely relate to the desire to impress their busy and distracted fathers. Home school families will appreciate the recipe in the back for a hands-on tie in to the story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story of extended family love and connection over the ritual of the Sunday dinner together. Lots of preparation and cooking on Saturday night. Alexander’s mom trusts him first to make his favorite beans and franks, but when his dad isn’t interested, she suggests that Alexander should make something sweet for his dad (who has a sweet tooth) for Sunday dinner. There’s even a recipe for Lemon meringue pie at the end.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book of a young Alexander Hamilton who is now a recognizable name for very young children. The story is focused on family time spent together in and after church. Frank Morrison's illustrations are big and flowing and warm and wonderful, of course. I have gone over these illustrations several time with and without the text. Frank Morrison is a wonder and a treasured illustrator of picture books for my students.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint. The story reminded me of my own family Sunday dinners with my great grandmother after we attended church. It brought me sentimental feelings I haven't experienced in a while. I loved the familial connections, the passion for food, and the beauty that is always Frank Morrison's artwork!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming tale of the comfort a young boy takes in his family's weekend routine of church and cooking. One Sunday he really wants to impress his dad so his mom helps him make his dad's favorite recipe.

Recipe included. A wonderful story for children who like to be in the kitchen with their parents (or to encourage the behavior).

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about a family's Sunday dinners. Alexander has been doing a lot of little things like picking vegetables, peeling the vegetables, chopping onions, stirring the gravy. Alexander is unhappy that his father is enthusiastic about dessert, but doesn't seem to really appreciate the rest of the meal. Then on week Alexander was allowed to "grace the table GORGEOUS ILLUSTRATIONS!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of the young Alexander learning to prep food, and then cook on his own. The oil paint illustrations were very nice, but they made Alexander look super skinny. However, they did an excellent job of matching and extending the text. This book reminded me somewhat of Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham (2021).

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

I didn't pay attention to the author before starting this book so I didn't know the author is a famous cook. It makes sense though with the way the food is described in the book. Made me hungry!
This is a great book about a "small moment." It radiates love, joy and family.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie


This was a great real story on Chef Alexander Smalls. I love to hear the stories around food and family. The bonus was getting his receipe at the end of the story. I bought the book for my grandkids, who are readers and they love to cook with their dad and mom. So grab it for any little love one that enjoys cooking.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! A story of boy who loves the warmth of the world of cooking and Sunday dinners his family have. You can really feel how special Alexander feels about them, and about making his first pie!

[Mariah]

I am 29 years old so I can’t rate this but if I had spawn I would buy this for them 🫶 the artwork is so nostalgic to books I read in childhood :’) I know the pages of the physical book smell so good lul

[Lesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday dinner - the best meal of the week; a time for family, good food, and joy. This led Alexander Smalls (the author) to become a James Beard award-winning chef. Beautiful illustrations and in the backmatter, we can all make Alexander's Lemon Pie!

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here is the one. If people aren’t talking about Frank Morrison for Caldecott for this one, I’ll be so disappointed.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book for my food and memory writing unit

[Syntha Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morrison's illustrations beautifully illustrate this story about family and food

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aloof dad.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Frank Morrison illustrations and the language does not interfere with the beauty. The physical size may make it hard to use as a read aloud, but it will probably be worth the effort.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5, for a boy cooking and African American characters, but it didn't really grab me.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad is kind of a butt. At least he liked the pie.

[Kaitlyn (ktxx22) Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this and the food memories it brought me! The illustrations throughout are stunning as well.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family. Gathering. Connection. A beautiful tribute to the ties that bind us. The illustrations are gorgeous!

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Smalls, a James Beard Award-winning chef, tells how his love of cooking began. I LOVE Frank Morrison's illustrations! He always lends a sense of energy to his books.