The Gathering Table

by Antwan Eady, London Ladd (illustrator)

The author of Nigel and the Moon delivers a joyful picture book about how a Southern family gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations that highlight the importance of family, community, and coming together.

In my family,
there are traditions.
And my favorite—
happen around this table.

No matter the season, no matter the reason, the love that surrounds this boy's family table is palpable and neverending. From a golden anniversary to Juneteenth, a special wedding to a new baby sister, here is a family that never forgets to come together and celebrate what it truly means to be there for each other.

Heartfelt illustrations complement the lyrical text in this poignant picture book that reveals how Gullah Geechee culture contributes to a family's love, and reminds us the importance of building community one gathering at a time.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, LGBT, Food, African American, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Originally from Garnett, South Carolina, Antwan Eady is author of the award-winning picture book Nigel and the Moon, illustrated by Gracey Zhang.

Down the dirt roads of South Carolina’s Low Country is where Eady’s understanding of—and appreciation for—family, community, and nature unfolded. Now he shares those stories with the world. His upcoming titles include: The Last Stand, Poemhood: Our Black Revival (a Young Adult poetry anthology), The Gathering Table, Micah’s Rise, and Before the Bridge.

When he isn’t writing, he’s visiting schools, libraries, and colleges throughout the country.

A graduate of Clemson University, Antwan now lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully told and beautifully illustrated, The Gathering Table is about a family that gathers around a table and the memories they make each time they do this. As seasons change and the family grows, they celebrate each other and how much they love one another. This is a book of food, love and inclusion all centered around one piece of furniture. The Gathering Table.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 234

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using mixed media and lyrical prose, this picture book celebrates a black family’s traditions and history throughout the years around an outdoor table. Each page turn brings the reader to another year, which I realized when I saw a pregnant mom and the next page there was a baby in her arms. The illustrations are at their best with the expressions of each family member.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

great for PRIDE month! : )

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This luminous picture book celebrates a year of one Black family’s celebrations, all centered around a long, rectangular wooden table. A massive yard with water in the background and trees dripping with gray Spanish moss serve as natural decoration in the opening pages as children and parents “gather around the table where Grandma and Grandpa are honored for the family they’ve built.” The vibrant mixed media illustrations, created with acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper, recall the works of master artist Ekua Holmes, who has created similar images honoring Black life. Despite the enormity of emotion conveyed visually, Eady’s narrator, a young Black boy who uses first-person voice to tell his family’s story, comes across as respectful but also real. He gets tired of standing at the table (the family tradition) so always drags out his stool to park underneath. He pulls a face when things get mushy between his loving grandparents and holds his nose when it’s Dad’s turn to change his baby sister’s diaper. All of the illustrations bleed to the edge with some as two-page spreads right across the gutter, which will pull readers deep into the family’s festivities. A matter-of-fact and loving tone also describes the wedding of his two uncles (accompanied by righteous emphasis: “We gather around the table when my uncles can finally say: I do”); the new couple is shown wearing coordinating plaid suits with white roses in their buttonholes and proceed directly to the cutting of a fantastic rainbow-layered wedding cake. The large family includes proud Black men, women, and children with a variety of skin tones, ages, and hair styles, stylishly but casually dressed for outdoor events. Eady’s simple but moving text feels just right for this celebration of freedom, safety, and love. A brief author’s note at the back of the book gives a bit of Eady’s own family history (he’s from the sea islands of South Carolina) and encourages readers to think about their own family “tables” and celebratory traditions. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antwan Eady lets a young boy tell us readers about this gathering table, one in various places, but outdoors surrounded by beautiful trees, a lake, yet also near a home, at various times, like Independence Day, only a week away right now as I write this. Family fills up the spaces, happy to see Grandma and Grandpa loving each other. Grandpa leans in, says "Now give me some sugar, Suga", and the boy says "This is the table of love. (Slobbery love, if you ask me.)" There's a baby sister, so many family members young and old, plus one special double-page spread celebrates a wedding of two uncles and later a gorgeous pride cake! Happiness leaps off the pages from London Ladd's luminous illustrations. There is a loving letter about his "tables" from Antwan Eady. The book will make you want to be there, or to remember your own "tables" from your family. What a special, exquisite book!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm fond of picture books in which inanimate objects take on important roles or bring others together. In this picture book, sumptuously illustrated with mixed media, acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper, it's a long wooden table placed beneath trees whose spreading branches contain garlands of Spanish moss that is at the centerpiece of family gatherings. The table is often filled with food, and the family moves around it, selecting the delicacies with which they want to load their plates. It's a place to reconnect, honor the past and ancestors, but also a place to imagine the future and feel free. The warmth surrounding the wedding of two uncles wearing bow ties that match each other's suits is palpable through the book's final pages. Clearly, this is an accepting, loving family where it's possible to be true to oneself and love whomever one wishes.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is likely one of the most love-saturated picture books, both visually and in text, that I've read. In this family tale, a young narrator shares the warmth and cultural splendor of a day in the park where the Spanish moss hangs lushly over the gathering table as multigenerational family members celebrate family occasions. The marriage of his two uncles (replete with a gorgeous rainbow pride cake: yum!), a new baby sister, and Juneteenth.

Ladd's deeply saturated colors beautifully depict the splendor of the rich vernal green setting, and the colorful family members, eating, dancing, celebrating love (even the "slobbery" kind). Readers feel the soft arms of the generous family warmth in both text and illustrations.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the other new picture book Space for Everyone, The Gathering Table places a family table at the center of this story of an African American family. The reader watches as the family celebrates the love between their grandparents, New Year's fireworks, a new baby sister, the marriage of family uncles, a low county boil, and Juneteenth. London Ladd's gorgeous illustrations capture the family's outdoor activities in bold colorful tones in his first picture book. Eady adds an author note at the end to give more insights into the importance of the gathering table.

[Debrarian]

The gorgeous illustrations burst with colorful life, engaging angles and perspectives, and expressive family interactions and love.

I did not immediately understand that there were changes in time at some page turns - I thought it was all one day and then was confused by the nighttime fireworks followed by daylight again. I had to go back and forth a few times to figure it out. I feel like the time changes of the text could have been better communicated, either via illustration or with text formatting.

[Kasey Driskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a radiant celebration of Black joy and community! My daughter loved the vibrant pictures of delicious foods and all the different celebrations. I loved how the story seamlessly highlights family, Pride, and Juneteenth — weaving them together with warmth, love, and inclusivity. The illustrations practically glow with togetherness, and the message of gathering around the table to share stories and traditions is so powerful. A beautiful, affirming read for families who want to see diverse celebrations represented with authenticity and joy.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories about families are special and I believe many will relate to a table where gatherings happen over our lifetimes. Sharing our family time, celebrating our elderly family members, and welcoming new family members is a part of most people's lives. The author's note is so heartfelt and really allowed me more depth to this story. I love when authors and illustrators share their hearts and how they connect to the story. This note is Antwan welcomes those without family tables like his to join the table in this book with his family. My heart is full.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gathering Table is a story of family. The gathering table is a table they gather around for every special occasion. This table has been the table for weddings and family cookouts. I loved the sly jokes the main characters makes when his family's kisses are too much or his little sister's diaper smells. And the illustrations are gorgeous and comforting.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy remembers and celebrates the large wooden table - set up outside - where family gatherings were held. Anniversaries, births, weddings, and holidays like Juneteenth were all celebrated at the table with joy and humor and lots of good food!

The author also had a table and as the family grew, more tables were added. There was always room at the table.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, and inviting, and funny too! The illustrations are rich and sumptuous, and the characters' expressions are so alive!! The text made my poet's heart sing but it's also very accessible for kids and will make them laugh. This book exudes LOVE and will be beloved by many, many families!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Here we are safe. Here we are loved. Here we are free."
This is a wonderful, utopian vision of a loving family who gathers to celebrate love, community, and each other. The author's note is so moving as well and encourages readers to think about the tables in their lives.

[Denicemarcell]

review copy at library.
Cover drew me to the shelf
beautiful sharing of culture and history

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with joy and family tradition, this vibrant book celebrates the memories made around one family's special gathering table.

[Mary Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youth book about the author’s family tradition of a special table to gather around to share food, love and family. Lovely.

[Drusilla Pair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about family and legacy

[Melissapalmer404 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Would make a good book for Juneteenth.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of a family who celebrates events around "the gathering table." I don't understand why they don't sit down.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the sweetest memories in my life involve gatherings with family. This book celebrates the power of love, connections, and family. Beautiful book!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a 4.5. A wonderful celebration of family gatherings, uncles' wedding (and Pride), Juneteenth and familial love.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about an African-American family's traditions around the table, celebrating love, family, special occasions, and freedom.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this and liking when the main character told his poem? Not sure why the review I wrote disappeared.

[Abbigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely illustrated picture book about Juneteenth but also gathering with family.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tables and sitting around them has been a theme in the recent four or five years of children’s picture books. I have enjoyed them all as it brings back my memories of sitting around the table.
This particular entry into the picture book group is extremely well done. Told from the eyes of a young boy we see a multiple generation family gather around the ever number of expending tables to celebrate reunions, marriages, and anniversaries.
Having lived for a time in Georgia the illustrations allowed me to see the setting, hear the voices and feel the heat and humidity during these get togethers. Loved seeing the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. Illustrations were rendered in acrylics, cut paper, and tissue paper.
Very pleasing “table” picture books. This author and illustrator are a good combination.
This title needs to be on the radar for awards.