Granny's Kitchen: A Jamaican Story of Food and Family

by Sade Smith, Ken Daley (Illustrator)

Accompanied by Ken Daley's vibrant, sun-soaked artwork, Sadé Smith's debut picture book Granny's Kitchen is the perfect readaloud for budding chefs everywhere.

Shelly-Ann lives with her Granny on the beautiful island of Jamaica. When Shelly-Ann becomes hungry, she asks her Granny for something to eat. Granny tells her “Gyal, you betta can cook!” and teaches Shelly-Ann how to get in touch with her Jamaican roots through the process of cooking.

As Shelly-Ann tries each recipe, everything goes wrong. But when Granny is too tired to cook one morning, Shelly-Ann will have to find the courage to try one more time and prepare the perfect Jamaican breakfast.

Praise for Granny's Kitchen :

"Warm and inviting. Daley’s vibrant, highly saturated illustrations bolster the appeal and are sure to entice young readers―and perhaps encourage them to try their own hand in the kitchen. ... A vibrant, upbeat story of a determined girl and her love of food." ― Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Cooking, Growth Mindset

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 12, 2022

About the author

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Sadé Smith is a Canadian children’s book author of Jamaican descent. She loves to write stories that will allow your imagination to take you away. Her books often involve food and recipes for readers to enjoy along with vibrant illustrations to capture the colors of the Caribbean islands.

In addition to writing, she is also a designer/technologist who practices the skilled trades and home renovations. She can swing a hammer as well as she can swing a pen!
She is the author of Granny's Kitchen and Julie and the Mango Tree.

Reviews

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely picture book! Granny's Kitchen follows a young girl learning how to cook traditional Jamaican dishes from her grandmother, but she keeps making mistakes. She must persist and keep trying to get it the way she wants it to be. It's vibrant and beautifully illustrated, with a sweet relationship between a girl and her grandmother. And there are recipes at the end.

This one was a hit with my kids. The 8 year old gave it 4 stars and liked how she kept trying and how she could climb a tree to get mangos. The 5 year old gave it 5 stars and liked all the food! Really charming with great representation. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so much fun and I can't wait to share it with my niece. The illustrations are very pretty and it's nice to see a story about a child spending time with their grandparent and learning a new skill. Even though cooking isn't the easiest the mc in this story is determined. Also love that Granny's recipes came included in case anyone wants to try cooking with their little one.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Thank you to Feiwel & Friends in connection with School Library Journal's Picture Book Palooza for the review copy. This in no way changed my opinion**

This was cute. It reminds me a bit of books like Thunder Cake and Bilal Cooks Daal. Shelly-Ann lives with her grandmother in Jamaica and wants to learn how to cook. But everything she cooks isn't quite right...too mushy, too salty, too soft, or burnt. But her grandmother keeps encouraging her to try again. With that encouragement, she's able to try again and make it come out better. I think this book had beautiful illustrations, a great message, and a sweet relationship between Shelly-Ann and her grandmother. Would absolutely recommend for school, public, and personal libraries.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book from our preschool curriculum last year that got the most rereads. The combination of bright, playful illustrations and relatable storyline following a girl who has to learn the importance of “try, try, and try again” make for a tale that both child and parent can enjoy on repeat. The Jamaican setting and real recipes are also highlights.

[wordjellyreview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granny’s kitchen is a Jamaican story of self-reliance & persistence.

Shelly-Ann lives on the beautiful island of Jamaica with her most beloved person, her granny. Shelly-Ann is determined to cook a sumptuous meal like her granny. However, her dumplings are burnt, saltfish is salty and plantains are mushy. As Shelly-Ann continues making mistakes, her self-confidence dwindles. After consecutive failed attempts to cook, will Shelly-Ann continue to cook the meal? Through her debut book Granny’s Kitchen, author Sadé Smith teaches, persistence and self-reliance. The book highlights cooking as a fun activity, to create a bond of love with the family, and inspire future chefs everywhere. The book also comes along with some fun facts about Jamaica, and granny’s recipes for Jamaican food. -#wordjellyreview

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright, lively illustrations draw the reader in, and from the title page I was salivating, wanting to taste the cooking!

Smith does an excellent job of showing a growth mindset and persistence in young Shelly-Ann, in that she keeps trying to cook after her dumplins burn and other dishes don’t taste right.

Granny’s Kitchen is a fun way to learn about Jamaican culture (like lignum vitae flowers and doctor birds!) and food, including ackee, the national fruit. I love that Granny's recipes are included and extend the reading experience via hands-on learning.

Hmmm … which recipe shall I try first?

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect children’s book for #readcarribbean month. Granny’s Kitchen is a vibrant, upbeat story of a young girl determined to learn how to cook her grandmother’s traditional Jamaican food (ackee, saltfish, plantains). The book features some fun facts about Jamaica along with granny’s traditional recipes. This was so much fun to read aloud with my daughter, she laughed every time granny said, “GYAL, YOU BETTA CAN COOK” (in my best Jamaican accent lol). The food was one of my favorite parts of my trip to Jamaica, especially the jerk! We can’t wait to make one of Shelly-Ann’s grandmother’s no-meat dishes! Highly recommend!

[Anneliese Grassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelly-Ann really wants to cook but is finding that it’s not as easy as it looks. Mistakes are made, food isn’t turning out as planned, and she is ready to give up on cooking altogether. But Granny is so kind and encouraging about not giving up and, in a way, telling her that practice makes perfect.

What a sweet book with such great lessons, family bonds, and recipes!, all the while leaning about Jamaica. The story flowed nicely, the pictures were beautiful and fit perfectly with the story, making this one a must have for readers of all ages!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from MacMillan Publishing Group through Picture Book Palooza.
Beautifully illustrated story of a young girl in Jamaica learning to cook from her grandmother. Granny shows her how to make various family recipes and Shelly-Ann fails each time. I appreciate the patience and love Granny shows as she continues to encourage her to try. At the end, she creates a full meal for her granny. It's not perfect but it is made with love. The vividly colored illustrations will make readers feel they are joining them in Jamaica. The recipes are shared at the end of the book.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun and colorful illustrations. My 22-month-old adores this book which is surprising because there are quite a few words on the page. Because of this book he now recognizes flower, salt, dumplings, and a couple other food things too. Whenever we're making food in the kitchen he will say try try and try because that's a common phrase in the book. I think the story is a great reminder for kids that you don't become perfect at something the first time you try it. And that is especially true with cooking. We're excited to try the recipe sometime!

[Amber Wessies Owrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were beautiful and the story highlights a young girl and her grandmother's relationship. It is obvious the two love each other and enjoy spending time together. The grandmother is teaching the granddaughter how to cook, but it doesn't come easy. When the granddaughter becomes discouraged the grandmother tells her to keep trying.
I also enjoyed that the recipes were included at the end of the book.

[Darlene Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelly-Ann is old enough that when she wants one of her grandmother's special dishes, her grandmother insists on teaching her to make it. Shelly-Ann's first attempts at several dishes don't turn out well at all and Shelly-Ann is convinced she can't cook. But, when her grandmother is too tired to cook one morning, Shelly-Ann tries again and succeeds, especially since she cooked with love this time. Recipes and fun facts about Jamaica are backmatter.

[Mike Marsbergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, those full-colour illustrations are incredible. So vibrant and I love the style. The story is cute and sweet, with an uplifting message: Never give up! This positivity is always reinforced by Shelly-Ann's lovely grandmother, who provides boundless encouragement to Shelly-Ann and helps build the girl's confidence. Love the recipes and quick facts about Jamaica found at the back of the book. Highly recommended!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet growth-mindset story that celebrates yummy Jamaican foods! Shelly-Ann tries to learn how to cook her favorite dishes from Granny, but they never turn out right. She wants to give up, but Granny encourages her and stays positive at every step.
I loved the bright colors and the delicious-sounding dishes made my mouth water!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Jamaica, Shelly-Ann wants to learn to cook the delicious foods her grandmother makes, but every dish from dumplins to plantains comes out wrong. A mouth-watering story about trying and then trying again – with recipes for young readers to try out too. Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyable!

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granny’s Kitchen: A Jamaican Story of Food and Family by Sadé Smith and illustrated by Ken Daley is a sweet picture book that shows one young girl’s determination to learn to cook from her beloved granny. With some repetitive text, beautiful illustrations, and delicious recipes, readers will be wanting to learn to cook with their own grandmothers! This is a sweet story with recipes included.

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book. I love the bright and colourful illustrations. I love how Shelly-Anne and her grandmother care for each other. I love the celebration of food, recipes, and Jamaica (country of my parent's birth). Great debut picture book.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who can’t cook either, Shelly-Ann’s frustration with trying to duplicate her grandmother’s recipes is relatable. I like that this book teaches you a bit about Jamaica and its people while also sharing a relatable story.

[Mystical Enchantress · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just anticipating for her to make some traditional ackee, my favorite. Such a delightful book. Reminds me of when I was a curious child in the kitchen and my mother and sister taught me how to cook. Persistence did pay off.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this amazingly bright and colorful (and tasty) book about Jamaican cooking

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! The recipes are a great addition!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelly-Ann lives with her grandmother on the island of Jamacia, and through trial and error learns to cook four traditional breakfast dishes of the island. Just when Shelly-Ann is about to give up, she learns the real magic that brings a perfect dish to fruition.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and such great encouragement throughout. I am glad the author shared recipes at the end: will be fun to try them.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when books come with recipes

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kait’s homework was to learn why you can’t eat ackee seeds after they read this at school, so we read the story and looked on Wikipedia. I definitely need to take the kids for Jamaican food soon.

[Lisa's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mouth-watering read as a young girl tries to become as good a cook as her granny.

[Karen Ashmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of my grandson’s favorite books. He loves to cook with Nana (me) and his future uncle lives in Jamaica so of course this is a frequent bedtime story selected by him.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the illustrations.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few failed cooking lessons frustrate but ultimately empower a girl to prepare a sentimental Jamaican feast for her beloved grandmother in a vibrant picture book highlighting the benefits of grit and the restorative powers of heritage and cuisine.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is cute book for a beginner reader. It is beautifully illustrated and depicts a little girl who learns to cook Jamaican food from her Granny. A lot of people will enjoy this sweet story-cookbook.