Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner: A Heartwarming Picture Book About African American Family Traditions and Food for Kids

by Angela Dalton, Jestenia Southerland (Illustrator)

On Here Wee Read's 2021 Ultimate List of Diverse Children's Books! 

Publisher Weekly Starred Review! "Warm digital art by Southerland makes excellent use of light and shadow, and offers a lovely portrait of an expressive family with varying hairstyles and body types. This hopeful, mouthwatering narrative showcases tender family rapport."

This joyful picture book taps into the rich African American tradition of family reunions, with delicious food at the heart of the celebration. Perfect for fans of the Caldecott Honor Book Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons.

Once a year, each of Ruby’s relatives prepares a special dish to share at their family reunion. Daddy calls it their “signature dish”—and Ruby wants one of her own. She wanders through the bustling kitchen looking for inspiration. As she watches Pop-Pop’s chicken sizzling in the skillet, Uncle G slicing onions, and Auntie Billie cooking corn on the hot grill, she wonders if she’s just too young to have a signature dish. That’s when she finds it— the perfect solution!

Angela Dalton’s warm text is perfectly paired with Jestenia Southerland’s beautiful art in this sweet picture book, filled with the tenderness and warmth of this multigenerational extended family and the food they share.

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

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2021

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a cute picture book! I absolutely adored it. It follows Ruby as she attempts to come up with her very own special recipe for the family reunion. Every year, every member of the family brings a special dish also known as their "signature dish." During this year's family reunion, Ruby wants to make her own signature dish so she meets with different family members while they prepare their dishes. Dalton's descriptions definitely had my mouth watering. I wouldn't recommend reading this one on an empty stomach. While this does focus on the food and signature dishes, I do think that it is also, at its core, about family. The artwork is exquisite with such a rich and beautiful palette. I highly recommend this title if you haven't gotten the chance to pick it up.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story with my little cousin. It's about a girl whose family is having a reunion. Everyone has their own signature dish and she just wants to be included but she's not sure what her special dish is. It encourages participation in family traditions.

[Capri’sBookIsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could be 60 and I'll still read children's books. Its a fun break in between full novels and this one definitely showed a determined Ruby ready to take on her own recipe to wow her family, adorable. I also really enjoyed the illustration style as well.

[J MaK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully executed! The artwork highlighted textures and contrast.

[LaSheba Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Ruby is excited for the family dinner party. It seems everyone has a "signature dish" except for her. It's hard being the "lil bit" of the family when you want to do big grown-up things. Will Ruby find her own signature dish and show that little ones can contribute too? A fun storyline and cute illustrations. 👧🏾💕🎉

[Johnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the story to mess with, RIGHT before lunch!! So cute and it had my mouth watering the whole time!

[Maggie Qudsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rubys Reunion Day Dinner is aimed to children in PreK through kindergarten. This story follows Ruby as she helps prepare food for her family reunion. This book highlights traditions, family, and culture. some key themes include family, community and black heritage. I chose this book because it is a great book to introduce black family traditions and the importance of community in an engaging way. this story is joyful to read aloud and is very engaging with the illustrations.

[Karla Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay - this is the most mouth-watering picture book you will ever read. From the very first page, the scents and flavors of the reunion dinner prep float right out of the page and into your room. But this isn't just a study on good food, it is a brilliant example of showing vs telling.

In RUBY'S REUNION DAY DINNER, Angela does an excellent job of conveying the importance and meaning of a family reunion through Ruby's relationship to food and the people who make it. As we follow Ruby in her attempts to find a way to contribute to the dinner (to show that she belongs), we meet the various members of her family whose personalities are as vibrant as their signature dishes. In the end, Ruby's contribution is also emblematic of her personality, and a perfect fit with everything (and everyone) else on the table.

Don't be fooled by the delicious feast, this is a story about belonging and what it means to be a family.

[Jared White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby is the youngest in her crowd of relatives. Everyone else has their signature dish which they contribute to the reunion every year but she's told over and over again that she's too small to help out much and she doesn't know what she can make on her own. Finally, inspiration strikes and creates the perfect thing that she can *mostly* do on her own.

I love these illustrations and the food sounds wonderful. I also love that it is both the women and men who have dishes they contribute and it's a lady working the grill. As well as assisting with the other dishes at our family Thanksgivings, I am also expected to be in charge of making at least one of the pumpkin pies. Sadly, most of the other males in the family do not contribute to the cooking, though a couple of them do at least help clean up!

[Sierra Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner by Angela Dalton; Illustrated by Jestenia Southerland

Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner is a story picture books that describes the process Ruby goes through to find her "signature dish". The story shows how Ruby is trying to be a part of the family tradition by trying to find what dish she can bring. Whole doing so she goes to each family member to see what they are making. She continuously is called "Lil Bit", and told she is just not old enough yet. However, this does not stop her determination to become a part of the tradition. Once she found her dish (lemonade) she spirts are lifted high by everyone loving her lemonade. They even call her by her name Ruby instead of Lil Bit. This story would be good to use in the classroom to show that no matter your age you can still be a part of something bigger. In this case Ruby wants to a part of her families big family tradition. Recommended for ages 4-8. I also don't recommend reading this book on an empty stomach because now I'm wanting everyone's dishes described in the book

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is time for family to gather for the annual reunion dinner. They all have a special dish to contribute. Everyone, that is, except "Lil' Bit". She offers to help but everyone says she is "too small. Maybe next year." Dejectedly she sits outside, even though the summer heat makes it really hot - and that is where she gets her inspiration!! Lemon trees! She picks and squeezes and mixes her own signature dish - Ruby's ice cold lemonade! Everyone praises her ingenuity and the deliciously cold beverage - and they encourage her to make it again at the next gathering.

Even though this is a family reunion most likely set in the summer, it would make a great holiday read. Lots of little feel left out of the preparations for a big family meal. This provides a great way to include them in the preparations.

I was excited to see that this book was recommended by Carla Hall, one of my favorite chefs!

[Veronica McFarlin]

Ruby's family is getting together to share a meal together and she can't wait to eat some of everyone's signature dishes. Only problem is Ruby doesn't have a signature dish and nobody will let her help with their dish. Ruby doesn't feel welcome, so she goes outside where she finally finds her signature dish - fresh lemonade.

This is a good book to teach kids resilience. Ruby couldn't help with most of the cooking because it wasn't safe for her, but she didn't give up and she found something that she could help with. It would also be good for an intro to cooking, and could even tie into a math lesson on cooking measurements. Students could share their favorite signature dishes from family get togethers and maybe even bring in a recipe for one of their favorite dishes and we could put together a class cookbook.

[Emma Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It goes through Ruby and her family's day of preparing their own individuals dishes to serve at Reunion Day dinner. But Ruby didn't know what to make as her signature dish. As she is looking at all the dishes that are being made in front of her, she is describing what they look like and the sounds they make while it cooks. She asks her family members if she could help, but they all said was that she was too young to help. She went outside and finally got an idea on what she could bring to Reunion Day dinner. She saw the lemon tree and decided to make lemonade as her signature drink for all her family to drink while at dinner. This shows students that at home, they can participate in their families dinner in their own way. It also shows how they can overcome obstacles.

[Anita Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner intended audience is people of an African American background. Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner Lexile level is N/A right now, but it is intended for grades preschool through 3rd. This book was about an African American and how everyone in the family was prepping their signature dish. Everyone in Ruby’s family had their dish except for Ruby, so Ruby was trying to help the family prepare their signature dish and everyone told her no because she was too little. Eventually, Ruby did find her signature dish after almost giving up. I chose this book because all my students can relate to this book, and it would be a good way for my classroom to have their own family reunion within the classroom and bring their signature dish.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner is so tantalizing I wanted to step into it and join them for dinner! Right away, I noticed the author made sure each adult treated little Ruby with sweetness and love, which made me as the reader beam with joy. There is so much tragedy in the world today and struggles to overcome white supremacy, racism, and more. Such danger. But Angela Dalton overcomes all that and for a brief moment, with a child on my lap all snuggled up, I get to read of this beautiful family's happy day and Ruby's delight at finding her place at the table. I absolutely loved it, and the soft-edged, colorful illustrations are lovely, too!

[Becky Scharnhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet story about a young girl searching for a way to contribute to her family’s reunion day preparations. My mouth watered and my tummy grumbled while reading the vivid descriptions of all the signature dishes her family members were preparing. I wanted to jump right into the story and join this awesome celebration of food and family. Children will be able to relate to Ruby’s desire to help, as well as to the disappointment she feels when she is turned away for being too little. The heartwarming ending will leave readers with a smile, and may even inspire children to find their own signature dish.

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner made my stomach growl for all the amazing dishes Angela Dalton describes. Watching as Ruby searches for a way to help her family prepare their annual Reunion Day Dinner, I am brought back to the feeling the same way as a little kid during family gatherings. Jestenia Southerland perfectly illustrates how Ruby feels as she goes from adult to adult, asking how she can help, only to be told, "Maybe next year!". Oh the joy we feel when Ruby discovers her very own special way to contribute to the meal! The reader is left satisfied and happy seeing "Lil' Bit" feel like part of the celebration—this book is delightful!

[Jessica Kulekjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of family tradition, bursting with flavor and love! Rich, vivid language and engaging art invite readers to follow the story of young Ruby who is eager to help relatives prepare their signature dishes, only to discover that she is ready to create one of her own. Masterful storytelling packs sensory details and character development into a perfectly paced picture book with one of the best page turn moments out there. Ruby’s story is one that is sure to stick with readers long after they’ve closed the book.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing brings a family together more than food - the ultimate expression of love, and Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner is full of both. The description of the tantalizing food that's cooking makes your mouth water (and makes you hungry)! What's also very child-relatable is wanting to help out, but really just getting in the way. I love how Ruby found her way to contribute, and the subtle change in the way her family refers to her at the end, indicating she's growing up. A sweet, joyful, (and delicious)! book.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is trying to find a way to fit in during the Reunion Day dinner preparations. Everyone has a special dish to create, except for her. And they all think she’s too little to help, this year. But they’re in for a surprise! This is adorable and the artwork truly captured Ruby’s longing to help. The artist used Photoshop to create the digital images for this book.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Rachel Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the pictures within the book because it was very eye catching. This is also a book that I can relate to during times that we would visit my grandparents. This story is about a young girl who would like to help her family cook but everyone is saying that she is too young to help this year. I loved the language that was being used within the story because it gives us a visual of just how good the food would taste if we were there. I noticed at the end of the book that she did not really like when they would call her “Lil bit”.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

With darling illustrations, this adorable narrative makes anyone wish they could join Ruby and her family for dinner. The sensory details of this book: the sounds of the kitchen, smells of everyone's individual dishes - were tantalizing. The only thing that could make this book better would be if it came with a side of Momma's peach cobbler, Daddy's mac 'n' cheese and of course a 'lil bit' of Ruby's surprise contribution!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome family story

I love Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner because it depicts the true essence of our families. I loved how the main character Ruby’s persistence in trying to participate in the festivities teaches the young reader to overcome obstacles with a positive outlook. This book is a great family time story because it exemplifies love, family, traditions, culture, and delicious food.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in Ruby's family has a signature dish they prepare for the annual family reunion. Ruby so wants to help with the soul food dinner and have a signature dish of her own. But she is still referred to as "Lil' Bit" by her family; she is too young to do what they do. Then she has a bright idea. She will pick lemons and make lemonade. Now Ruby has her own signature dish that will get better and better each year.

[Kendall Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in the family makes a signature dish for the reunion dinner. Ruby wants to make a dish but she does not know what to make. She asks everyone if she can help them but they all tell her she is too little and maybe next year she can help. Ruby finally finds a dish she can make for the whole family.

I would use this in my class to teach my students that even though they are to little to do some things, there is something they can do to help.

[Kate Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet message to children to not let your age or thinking that you are "too young" to stop you from doing great things. Ruby the main character is a young girl who's relatives each create their own special dish to share for their family reunion. However everyone is telling Ruby she is too young yet, however instead being discouraged she decides to make something she can make. Which is the perfect lemonade, and everyone loves it.

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner is a sweet story about a little girl who wants to find her own signature dish to contribute to her family reunion dinner. With yummy descriptions of soul food and beautiful illustrations, this story has you rooting for Ruby to find her signature dish and celebrating with her when she does. A heart-warming, feel-good story.

[Tootie Nienow · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE the celebration of family and food in this beautiful book. Perfect book to read with family as those special days draw near. The talk about your family "signature dishes" is a special thing for families to do to grow together. Angela's unique verb choices make this story come to life: crack, crunch, sizzle, zing, babble . . . A must read.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book, from the mouth-watering food to the heart of the story about family and belonging. Every page is a visual treat as follow sweet Ruby in her attempts to be a helper. Young readers will relate to feeling too small to be part of something big and important. In the end, this book will make your stomach rumble and your heart grow three sizes.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone in Ruby's family is making something for their reunion dinner, but she doesn't have a signature dish. And no one will let her help with theirs because she's too small or young. Eventually, she seems fresh lemons and (with help with the knife) makes lemonade.

So much good food here, described in the text and shown in the illustrations, and a lot of good family feelings.