Bread Days

by Hannah Chung

Bookshop.org Best Kids Book

In this moving yet hopeful picture book for readers ages 4-8, a young girl rediscovers her passion for baking bread as she once did with her papa—and finds joy again in sharing it with her loved ones.

Nara loves nothing more than her bread days with Papa. Together, they mix, fold, and score dough, and eagerly watch as it rises to a delicious loaf in the oven. But one day, Papa is no longer there, and Nara’s bread days are suddenly empty. Instead, she’s left with feelings and memories that sadden and confuse her. But when Nara starts to take care of the sourdough starter she and Papa once made, she finds solace in bread days again—and, together with Mama, is able to keep a family tradition alive in memory of past loved ones.

From the author of The Most Perfect Persimmon, this picture book is a touching story of parent-child connection and the love language of food, as well as a comforting read for anyone who has experienced loss.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Death

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2025

About the author

Hannah Chung is an author-illustrator who loves creating stories with a sense of wonder and warmth. Her art and stories are inspired by playful conversations with children, the many hometowns she grew up in, and all the life lessons from being an older sister. Outside of creating children’s books, Hannah has over a decade of experience as designer and entrepreneur in the field of children’s health and with student innovators, having garnered recognitions like Time Best Inventions and SXSW Interactive Innovation Award. She spends her time in Providence, Rhode Island, and Seoul, South Korea.

Reviews

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 149 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I thought this was going to be a sweet book about a dad and his kid baking together....

And then it gutted me... right in the feels... *wails*

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

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[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me, in a good way. I thought it was only going to be about baking. Very touching. I especially liked the author's note. This book could be used in a classroom to talk about family recipes and loved ones. I recommend it.

[Bee (Bre) Mercadefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

*thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book*

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t all the emotion! This touching story highlights the bond between father and daughter as they bake sourdough bread together. However, when Nara’s father passes away, Nara is saddened that there is no more bread being made and the kitchen is too neat. She decides to take out the sourdough starter (named Paolo) and to her dismay the starter isn’t active. The story ends with Nara and her mother baking some sourdough bread together and remembering Papa.

The illustrations are delightful and the story packs a lot of emotion for a picture book. The author’s note at the end left tears in my eyes. Grief is handled graciously and the author showcases a healthy way to navigate the emotion. This will be a delightful read aloud and might even open the conversation regarding loss of a loved one.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fairly simple yet effective book for young readers. I will also say that I think this book adds something new to the world of kids' books, because not everyone has the idea to write about the comfort and familiarity of breadmaking. Another great thing about this story is that it has layers. On the surface there's baking, deeper there's loss of a loved one, and at its core this book is about connection and hope. While a young audience isn't going to analyze the book as much as I did, the layers of this book still matter and hold some sort of an impact on the reader, regardless of age. Lastly, the illustrations were truly spectacular, and I wouldn't change a single thing about this entire book, either writing- or drawing-wise. Bravo!!

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, as someone who has lost a parent, this is one of the best grief books I have read. It doesn’t tell you things will be the same. It doesn’t tell you things will get better. It just is. And I love that about this book. Grief is something we will all experience in our lives and having this book about the simple ritual of making bread with a loved one encapsulate so many of the feelings that go along with it is just so wonderful. Most of grief is just continuing and having the strength to keep going. But sometimes, as in the story, you need some help from family or friends. I hope this story touches a lot of hearts and heals many minds.

Nara and her dad are always making bread on “Bread Days.” They have fun and have even named their sourdough starter Paolo. When tragedy strikes, Nara and her mom feel lost. But then, Nara figures out something. She can still make bread, even if it’s a little different.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 241

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

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[Srujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh a book that made me tear up a little, especially when I was expecting it to be about bread making techniques and technical terms. The book is a sensitive, beautiful homage to the author's memories of making bread with her dad. The story is simple, uncomplicated and yet effective in conveying to young children that losing loved ones doesn't have to mean the loss of their warmth and love. Finding the right way to feel connected to them might not be simple, but their love lingers on. And so, when we do activities that remind us of them, we can sense them around us, feel them, hear them talking to us that as we move on, they will be with us at every step of the way. Thank you NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the DRC of this beautiful book! My review is voluntary, my opinions are my own and my thoughts are fully honest.

[Stacy Kaptsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bread Days is a fantastic and heartwarming children’s book about a grandfather and granddaughter who bake sourdough together. I’m so thankful that I got to read this book with my son as I am a sourdough baker myself and was inspired to start since my father, also known as papa, is an avid baker. The little illustrations of notes around the kitchen and post it notes reminded me of him and made me teary eyed. Both myself and son enjoyed this story very much and the story and illustrations were beautiful. This is a great story to share with children so they may understand grieving of grandparents and family members and family traditions that are continued on in their honor.

Thank you to the author for sharing her story with us and thank you so much to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

[Beena K · Rating 5 out of 5]

a heartwarming book. It is a very sweet way to talk to to kids about losing someone but still be able to remember them with the small things, like making bread. the illustrations are absolutely stunning, the colors and the details add so much to the whole book.

This is a book that I would read to my own kids even if at the age of 4 I don't thi k they would understand completely the emotional weight of it.


thank you to Netgalley and Astra Publishing House for the e book, opions shared are solely mine

[Precious Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The young girl is used to making bread with her father, her father is no longer there, it leaves her yearning for her father and making the bread. She’ll do anything to just feel that feeling again.

This is such a beautiful book, even though someone you love isn’t here anymore.. doesn’t mean their favorite hobbies or the interests y’all had together.. dies.

It lives on, within us.

Thank you NetGalley & Hannah for the opportunity to read this Arc!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl enjoys her time with her dad. They have a bread day where they make bread. But one day bread doesn’t happen because Dad is gone. And Palo the sourdough starter is in need of a little attention. Our main character and her mother give Palo the attention they need and start up for days all over again. This is a loving book in honor of the writer’s father and the bond that they used to have. How she continued the passion even after his passing. This is a lovely story, but not what I expected when I look at the cover.

[Carley Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this story was touching and meaningful. It shows how baking bread connects a girl with her family and memories of her dad. The warm, heartfelt illustrations make it a lovely book to share when talking about family or traditions.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review. This was a sweet heartwarming story!

My daughter says “5 stars! I loved it!”

[Emma VanOrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC courtesy of Astra Publishing House and Net Galley. This story is about a family bread making tradition. There are a new couple of vocabulary words to help children better understand the tradition. I think the illustrations fit great with the storyline. I do think there was a missed opportunity to discuss emptions/feelings when the grandfather is "gone". The author could have incorporated how the main character was feeling and why they did what they did. Overall, it had a good message!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love of baking bread and sharing the baking and the giving is a great gift that is passed on from one generation to the next. Learning to go on baking and giving is a great lesson, if a hard one.
The illustrations by the author are imaginative and tell much of the story in plump figures and muted colors.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and is a fine gift for anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers via NetGalley. Pub Date Sep 30, 2025 @astrakidsbooks
#BreadDays by Hannah Chung @_hchung @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #kidsbook #giving
#picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #aanhpi #aapi #aapiheritagemonth #preorder #childrensbook #bread #sourdough #kidlit #loss #change #togetherness #baking

[StephaniewithaPH Slusher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute kids book.

[Kara Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely illustrated picture book about family, tradition, and healing through simple, everyday acts of love. Chung’s storytelling is gentle yet deeply emotional, and her watercolor-style illustrations perfectly match the tender tone of the book. What I liked most about Bread Days is how it turns an ordinary activity into something meaningful and healing. It reminded me of how small traditions, like cooking or baking with family, can bring peace during hard times. The book also captures the importance of patience and togetherness which are values that children can easily understand and adults can deeply appreciate.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sweet and heartbreaking book with a touching authors note.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bread Days by Hannah Chung is a heartfelt children’s book that beautifully explores themes of family, tradition, and remembrance. The story follows a young girl who cherishes baking bread with her father, a ritual they lovingly call their “Bread Days.” When her father suddenly passes away, these special days come to a halt until she finds the courage to resume the tradition in his memory, with some help from her mother.
Chung’s dual role as author and illustrator enriches the narrative with warm, inviting visuals that perfectly complement the tender storyline. This book offers a meaningful way to discuss loss and the importance of honoring loved ones through shared traditions.
I rated this book four out of five stars. Initially, I found the father’s departure abrupt and was unclear about the circumstances of his absence. However, the story clarifies this later on, especially with the insight provided in the author’s note, which draws from her own personal experience. I also appreciated reading another review that framed this sudden loss through the perspective of a child’s understanding, which deepened my appreciation for the narrative approach.
Bread Days is scheduled for release on September 30, 2025, and is recommended for readers aged 4 to 8.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story with adorable illustrations!

Nara and her father love to bake bread together, and one of Nara's favorite kind of days is their Bread Days. But when her father is suddenly gone, nothing feels right and the Bread Days stop. Eventually, Nara takes matters (and ingredients) into her own hands, and with the help of her mother, Bread Days return -- along with the warmth in the kitchen and the comforting reminder of her father's love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Annie Brechbuhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bread Days is a very cute story. I am often looking for stories with diverse characters, and was excited to find a book with an Asian family. I probably would not buy Bread Days for my classroom, as it does show the young narrator experiencing loss and grief. However, I do think children K-2 would enjoy this story, and it is one that I would read to my daughter. I thought it was especially cute that the narrator and her grandpa named their starter.

Thank you to Astra Publishing House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Precious Adekunle]

Such a heartwarming and inspiring read! The story beautifully sparks creativity, kindness, and imagination I can just picture how much more magical it could be if there were a little songtizer kids smiling and singing along as they read Thank you for creating something so pure and meaningful. Books like this truly remind me why children’s stories matter

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nara loves the soothing ritual of baking bread with her beloved Papa. But one day . . . Papa's not there anymore. Will anything ever be the same again?

This is a sweet, poignant story of love, loss, and family. I like the author's use of pastel colors in her illustrations; everything is rather dreamy like a fond memory.

Thanks to NetGalley and Astra Young Readers for sharing.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not appreciate how the death/leaving of the father was handled. I wish there had been more of a concerted effort to say "your father will not be coming back ever. He has died." I think picture books need to say what happened. This was super vague and I spent the rest of the books trying to decide if the dad died, left, got taken, etc. I wanted more obvious reason for no more bread days.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.

I should have read the description more. I was expecting a story about a family baking bread, but it ended up being more about loss. I think it would be a good book to share with a child experiencing loss for the first time.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a sweet book