Dumpling Day

by Inés de Antuñano (Illustrator), Meera Sriram

Savor a rhyming celebration of one of the world’s most universal foods! Readers follow ten diverse families as they cook dumplings inside their homes in preparation for a neighborhood potluck. Dumplings are added to plates one by one, encouraging children to count with each new addition. Authentic recipes for all the dumplings and a map showing their regions of origin are included in the endnotes. Dumpling Day features dumplings from the following regions: India USA (Pennsylvania Dutch) China (Cantonese) Nigeria Japan Israel Mexico Syria Russia Italy

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Counting, Mathematics, Childrens, Cooking, Storytime

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2021

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about different dumplings from all over the world. The definition of dumpling is anything thing that is dough filled with something. So, we get samosas as well as ravioli fitting that model.

Cute counting story, as well as use of new words in the various languages where the food comes from.

And bonus, there are recipes for all the 10 dumplings in the book. Samosas from India, Apple Dumplings from the US., Wu-gok from China, Fufu and Peanut Stew from Nigeria, Gyoza from Japan, Bourekas from Israel, Tamales from Mexico, Shish Barak and Yogurt soup from Syria, Pelmeni from Russia and last but not lease, Ravioli from Italy.

What a fun way to have a picture book tat you can look at. then try to cook from.

Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.

[Vijaya Bodach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dumpling Day is a fun counting book with dumplings from all over the world. Each spread shows a family making them. Well-designed with maps to show from where a particular dumpling is made in the world, plus recipes! This will be a fun book for both the child and the parent. Thanks to the publisher for an DRC.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute countdown book of delicious dumplings from around the world. The sweet scenes show readers how much we have in common, and how food is a wonderful way of showing love! Beyond seeing more commonly known (in the West) dumplings like ravioli, tamales, and gyozas, I learned about Fufu, bourekas, shish barak, and pelmeni. And now I’m hungry!

[Brittany Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dumpling Day is a fun and delightful concept book, which merges a much beloved food with culture and people from around the world. One dumpling quickly becomes multiple as ten different families fix dumplings for their meal. From fried dumplings, to balls of fufu, tangy dumplings and pastry dumplings, children will have a ball ;) counting, and recognizing the food. I love how Meera Sriram's story and Inés de Antuñano illustrations, represent people from across the globe in an authentic and fun format.

At the end of the book, there are recipes for all of the dumplings. I cannot wait to try! So yum!!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that make math fun are always favorites in my house. This book combines counting, addition, cooking and world food in a bright, engaging package. Around the world there are different versions of dumplings. Readers are introduced to this huge variety while being encouraged to add and count. At the back there are recipes for all TEN dumplings for you to make and have your own dumpling day.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could a dumpling by any other name be a samosa or ravioli or shish barak or something else? According to the text, recipes, and illustrations in this delicious title, the answer is yes, and even more. This colorful and engaging picture book can function as a counting book as ten different families with ties to different cultures prepare favorite foods for a community gathering. The illustrations, created digitally and with gouache, highlight those ten families, adults and children alike, busily putting together the dishes they will share with their neighbors. The count goes up as each family adds another dumpling to the serving dishes. As the party winds down, there is a countdown from ten to one with the last bite saved for the reader--YUM! And yes, the rhyming text, smiling faces, and images of the delicious foods made me hungry. And then the back matter includes a map of all the countries represented in the book, an explanation of what exactly dumplings are, and recipes for all the dumplings mentioned in the book. With the help of a parent or caregiver, youngsters can follow those directions and taste these dumplings for themselves. There are dumpling recipes from China, Japan, Nigeria, Syria, and Mexico, among others. The recipes even indicate how long each dish takes to prepare and how many individuals the food will serve. Parents, caregivers, and teachers in search of an accessible book featuring foods from various countries as part of a cultural lesson might want to check this one out.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that does two things in one, if not more, this uses the topic of dumplings from around the world to give us a lesson in inclusivity and a sing-song counting session. Every double-page spread we're somewhere else in the world, watching people make, serve and enjoy their own specific dumpling or dumpling-styled product, from ravioli and tamales to Israeli bourekas. With each additional foodstuff our counting song goes up a number, until lo and behold everyone is all together and having a jolly dumpling holiday in the sun. We then get the relevant recipes, whose appeal will depend on your access to taro and yams, and your keenness on getting your youngster to start making their own pastry. Now you're not going to demand I cook them all just for the sake of the review right? I mean, I've not long had my breakfast. Thanks.

As a result, the book is a bit off in that the counting and multicultural lesson is very basic compared to the recipes, however family-friendly they're portrayed. But like I say, this is trying to do multiple things, and even if it's something that won't see each page get an equal usage, it is a success.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dumpling Day is a wonderful multicultural celebration of food and togetherness. Paired with rhyming lyrical text, playful illustrations and a fun counting element, this book is sure to be a hit with young children. Ten different style of dumplings are featured from all across the globe--fufu from Nigeria, ravioli from Italy, gyoza from Japan, shish barak from Syria, and so on. The end of the book provides even more detail (a map, definitions, language notes) as well recipes to make ALL TEN types of dumplings featured in the book! So fun!!

Again, the narrative itself is so lovely -- it's playful and I think the illustrations depicting "real life" across the globe are spot on.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Ellen Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute counting book and so much more. With easy-to-read rhymes by Meera Sriram and beautiful art by Ines de Antunano, young readers learn counting (and addition) skills while learning about dumplings from different parts of the world and different cultures. I love that when reading this book with children, they will hear words from different cultures and hopefully see themselves as part of a glorious world filled with diversity. To add to all this, the recipes in the back top it off! I highly recommend this book.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dumpling Day is a rhyming and counting picture book featuring dumplings from all around the world. The back matter has recipes that can be modified to people’s tastes and diets. Since dumplings are popular and international, readers are sure to learn something about these filled dough delights. It's also wonderful seeing families coming together to create and enjoy their dumplings.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's picture book has it all!!! Dumpling Day has beautiful artwork, poetry and rhyme, counting, and most of all food. This adorable story is about a town that gets together for Dumpling Day and is told through rhyme. Diversity and culture are abundant in this book and are depicted through contemporary, abstract artwork. As we meet each family prepares their dumplings we are introduced to families of different races, cultures, genders, and religions. This is a great story to read to kids between the ages of 4-9. This book would be a fantastic introduction to a discussion about the diverse culture we live in.

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books about food always elicit a sense of comfort and community...of sitting around the table with family and friends sharing stories and experiences, and THIS is exactly what spills out from the pages of author Meera Sriram's and illustrator Inés de Antuñao's book DUMPLING DAY. An ethnic diverse community decides to share a meal together-a meal highlighting a favorite entree, dumplings. Who knew there were so many different kinds of dumplings! DUMPLING DAY is a delicious story that embraces and celebrates cultural and culinary diversity (with an added layer of counting and addition). Thank you, Laura P. Jackson, for providing the recipes for all ten of the dumpling entrees. To say this book is a savory treat would be an understatement. Highly recommended!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book made me very hungry.

[R.G. Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dumpling Day is such a cute counting book in rhyme that cooks up delicious treats from all around the world. Young children will love the read-aloud aspect of this book for sure as they discover how we all make and savor dumplings in our own special way. I can't wait to try some of the delicious recipes in the back of the book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about dumplings from all over the world! I liked that at the end it had recipes for all 10 of the dumplings shared in the book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cool learning about dumplings from around the world. I think kids would enjoy the counting aspect.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really cute! I wouldn't have called some of those dishes "dumplings" but, they do fit the term rather nicely and it was great getting to see multiple different cultures and their yummy snacks come together (as well as recipes at the end, yum!).

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely celebration of how so many cultures have a traditional dumpling

[Ashley White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dumpling Day By Ines de Antunao
Cultural, Storytime, Family

Following ten diverse families they cook dumplings inside their homes. These families are getting ready for the neighborhood potluck. As the book goes on children count each dumpling that gets added to the plate. Each recipe follows the map showing each family's region.

The plot of Dumpling Day encourages each kid to embrace their religion. This is shown throughout the book. On one of the last pages, it shows all the families gathering together to eat each other's meals and embrace their race.

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten families from ten different cultural backgrounds prepare their own dumpling recipe for a potluck get together. Written in rhyme, young readers can learn about the various dumplings and count the recipes one after another. Recipes are included. The book is a wonderful celebration of different cultural and family traditions. Would be a great classroom read-aloud. Highly recommended.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming picture book is a treat from beginning to end. It is fun to read aloud, introduces the reader to dumplings from all around the world, includes a fun counting element (which my 6 and 7-year-old loved participating in as part of the read-aloud), and even includes delicious recipes to make your very own dumplings. My kiddos and I can't wait to get into the kitchen and get cooking! I highly recommend this one as a window into other cultures, to foodies everywhere, or to anyone looking for a joyful read-aloud.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple counting book celebrates dumpling while a community is invited to share their cultural connection to dumplings!

This book is joy for me. My students in both of my elementary schools will love the recipes included after the story!

[Readreadread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dumpling Day is a delicious read that takes you around the world. It highlights our universal yet distinct love for dumplings while enticing children to count forward and back. This is an excellent book for young readers to explore our multicultural world and the themes--food, family, community, and love--that bind us. Enjoy!

[Lisa Katzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable counting book that features the wide range of dumpling made around the world. The story is told in a lovely, lilting rhyme and the illustrations depict diverse families working together in their kitchens. The backmatter includes not only information about dumplings, but recipes too! A yummy read!

[Annelouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful concept book lovingly written in rhyme by Meera Sriram, and beautifully illustrated by Ines de Antunano. It celebrates dumplings and families from around the world, and includes recipes too! I highly recommend this book. It's vibrant, fun and lovingly created.

[Elizabeth]

All the recipes in the back of the book look so good!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Barefoot Books, for this early digital copy! It was beautifully written and illustrated. I love the way one type of food connects many diverse cultures. I also plan to cook up some of the lovely recipes included within the pages. Kids of all ages will enjoy this delicious book. Well done!

[Serena Gingold Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book serves up a tasty story about diverse families in a community making their own unique dumplings to share at a party. It's a also a counting book. And if you're hungry after reading it, there are recipes at the end for all of the dumplings so you can make them at home. Yum yum! DUMPLING DAY is the whole package.

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

Ten types of dumplings made by ten different families, plus 10 delicious recipes—who could ask for more in this savory story? Add lessons on numbers and counting for good measure, season with multicultural characters, and top it off with endnotes sprinkled with information about where the dumplings come from, a glossary of foreign terms, recipe tips, and interesting notes about the authors and their culinary traditions. Simple illustrations have a primitive appeal.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up because I liked the diversity with similarity story. 10 families create dumplings from their culture to share at a neighborhood potluck. Recipes included at the back.