Bread Is for Eating

by David Gershator, Phillis Gershator, Emma Shaw-Smith (Illustrator)

A bilingual, rhythmic celebration of bread, from farmer to baker.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ro Menendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ode not just to bread, but to any sustenance, that praises the energy and work that goes into its creation. Bread is for Eating takes the reader through the creation journey bread goes through, starting from the seed that must germinate, in order for any of us to enjoy it. It gently leads us to reflect on what it means when we are wasteful with food, and invites us to sing with Mamita how "bread is life." (At the end the author includes a music sheet for the Bread is for Eating song Mamita sings repeatedly throughout the story.)

The illustrations are colorful and detailed, inviting readers to spend a little longer on each page, especially on pages where the illustration is framed by a mosaic frame, depicting different elements that have to do with the process that is being described or the step in bread's journey that is being explored.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richly warm and beautiful illustrations enrich the story. The golden hues reminded me of the color of the grain seed and the bread when it is baked. From seed to final product you enjoy the process and the rhyme and the fun song only make it better. Follow up with a slice of fresh bread with butter or jam and you have a moment that will be remembered.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 4 stars if it weren't for a worldview issue. So it gets 3 1/2.

A great book for children to learn of all the work, steps, and process of where bread comes from. From the seed, to the planting, to the waiting on rain, harvesting, milling, buying flour, bakers baking, and finally, of course, for eating! It starts when a little boy doesn't want to eat his bread and mamita tells him to think of all these things and at the end he eats his bread. A good story of thankfulness and eating what is given to you.

The couple of problems I had were at the end the "thanking" the different things/people for the bread, rather than thanking our sovereign God who provides. Also instead of "hoping" for rain, you can pray for rain. It also thanks the bread for life... but man does not live by bread alone!

These things are easy to talk about and are good for starting conversations with your children. Not a book I would want my children to read on their own over and over.

[Keegan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ethnic feel of the illustrations is cool. And the little Spanish song is cool, but I wish that the meaning was made clear earlier. And it's a happy way to demonstrate the process wheat goes through to become bread. Still didn't love it though-- maybe because, other than the song, there isn't a lot of rhythm to the story. I'm a sucker for good rhythm and rhyme in a children's story.

[Dani Kappel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a bit and his mother telling him to eat bread and going through the life cycle of bread. There is a song in Spanish throughout the book with the music to the song and the English translation at the end. This book is good for phonological awareness, and vocabulary. I'd recommend it for ages 1-5.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow: Bread is for Eating
ok - one of those repetition books that I just can't get excited about reading.

[CFAITC]

Mamita explains how bread is produced from seed to flour in a poem/song in both English and Spanish.