Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table

by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Auntie Mabel and her family and friends have gathered for their big Sunday dinner and can't wait to dig into a delicious, mouthwatering meal. Before they can begin, Auntie Mabel starts—and doesn't stop!—blessing everyone and everything she the yams and Brussels sprouts, the table and chairs—even the president of the United States!

Author and illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newtons delectable celebration of food and family is a joyous appreciation of how traditions and rituals bring us, and keep us, together.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Humor, Food, Realistic Fiction, African American

36 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2010

About the author

Vanessa Brantley Newton attended both SVA and FIT of New York, where she studied fashion and children’s illustration. An artist swathed in retro chic, she loves all things vintage – especially books and clothes from the 40s through the 60’s – and it shines through in her designs, which run the gamut of fun and whimsical to stylish and sophisticated. She loves to add unique touches to her work, including mixed media accents, collage, and hand lettering.

Vanessa was born during the Civil Rights movement, and attended school in Newark, NJ. Being part of a diverse, tight-knit community during such turbulent times, Vanessa learned the importance of acceptance and empowerment in shaping a young person’s life. When she read Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, it was the first time she saw herself in a children’s book. It was a defining moment in her life, and has made her into the artist she is today. As an illustrator, she includes children of all ethnic backgrounds in her stories and artwork. She wants all children to see their unique experiences reflected in the books they read, so they can feel the same sense of empowerment and recognition she experienced as a young reader.

Vanessa celebrates self-love and acceptance of all cultures through her work, and hopes to inspire young readers to find their own voices. She first learned to express herself as a little girl through song. Growing up in a musical family, Vanessa’s parents taught her how to sing to help overcome her stuttering. Each night the family would gather to make music together, with her mom on piano, her dad on guitar, and Vanessa and her sister, Coy, singing the blues, gospel, spirituals, and jazz. Now whenever she illustrates, music fills the air and finds its way into her art. The children she draws can be seen dancing, wiggling, and moving freely across the page in an expression of happiness. Music is a constant celebration, no matter the occasion, and Vanessa hopes her illustrations bring joy to others, with the same magic of a beautiful melody.

Reviews

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is utterly cute! It focuses on Auntie Mabel's mile-long prayer and how her family and/or friends deal with it. The pictures are interesting and quirky, with each person's face having interesting details and features to focus on as they react to Auntie Mabel's prayer. The book cultivates a sense of family and tradition and love. Family members know one another's quirks and love each other for it, as is obviously the case in this family.

One thing I love about this book is that the gathering is a multicultural one. Whether all are members of one family or simply a gathering of friends and family, the sense of cultural openness and acceptance is one that I would want any child to be able to experience while reading this book. The subtle message is given: All are welcome around Auntie Mabel's table even if she is going to drive them all crazy with her super-long prayer.

My little nephew made me read this one to him twice in a row and was quoting the words (and making up his own) for the rest of the night.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table I have mixed feelings about this one. I appreciate the inclusiveness portrayed in the family (and, friends? I think it's a large family and friends) gathering and the special atmosphere of the Sunday dinner. It definitely has that specal-gathering-together-around-food feeling. And, on one hand, I can certainly understand that everyone is getting impatient to eat while Auntie Mabel goes on and on with her very long blessing. I think it's supposed to be humorous and one of those "love your family, quirks and all" but it just made me feel kind of sad that the people couldn't share more wholeheartedly in Auntie Mabel's spirit of gratitude for just a few minutes before digging into the meal

[Talia Messina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunt Mabel loooooves to pray, but the problem is that her prayers take all day. This is a funny story, but Aunt Mabel is the only one who had a personality. I loved the quirky illustrations and the diversity included, but I wanted to learn more about the other family members through her prayer. The rhyming felt forced in multiple places and I think it would have been a much better book if it hadn’t rhymed. I’m giving it 3 stars because I did enjoy the read. I just think it could use some enhancements editorially.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot of fun you can have with someone going on and on (as does Mabel) -- a glorious litany, but couching it in a deity-based blessing doesn't let me in.

I can't stop thinking that this priest is the elephant in the room. It's possible he's supposed to be a family friend, but that's me trying to give the whole scene some context.

I have the sinking suspicion he's here to show us people comfortable with diversity. I think we're to see this table as a metaphor for community, one that includes us all -- brown and white people and even Catholic priests, because, c'mon everybody, not every Catholic priest is a molester and they do a lot of other things besides obstruct access to women's reproductive rights.

It is such a condescending message: Look! Everybody gets along. Shut up and be friends.

[Christina Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know too many families who get to have Sunday dinners with family and friends anymore but it is something worth making the time for. It can be a time filled with love and laughter, family stories and the sharing of traditions from one generation to another. Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table made me think about family gatherings when I lived in Long Island. Cousins playing, singing, making up dance moves, and performing for family. Our grandfather is a preacher and Papa Jones can talk. Much like my own father. We know my Daddy can be long-winded and he knows it too so he's been keeping our blessing of the food brief these days. Auntie Mabel, I get you. You've got a lot to be thankful for but the food has long been cold and your guests are ready to eat.

Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table will tickle your funny bone and I'll bet you already have someone in mind that she reminds you of. Vanessa Brantley-Newton is both the author and illustrator. I enjoyed her rhyming text and her art that captures the expressions in everyone's faces throughout the duration of Mabel's lengthy prayer. One person even falls asleep. Hillarious. I agree with the age range recommendation of 4-8. We don't own this title in our library yet but we do own Mary Had a Little Glam (written by Tammi Sauer, 2016), Grandma's Purse (2018), and The King of Kindergarten (written by Derrick Barnes, 2019).

[Bethany M. Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auntie Mabel and her multiracial family and friends have gathered for their big Sunday dinner and can’t wait to dig into a delicious, mouthwatering meal.

Before they can begin, Auntie Mabel starts—and doesn’t stop!—blessing everyone and every single item she sees in front of her. I love this delectable celebration of food and family. This book is a joyous appreciation of how traditions and rituals bring us, and keep us, together.

Author and illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton is one of our all-time favorite people in the children’s literature world.
This classic book has continued to be a favorite with each new child that is born in our family.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how a bunch of people come over to Auntie Mabel's house every Sunday to eat a giant meal. Once everyone is sat at the table and is about to eat Auntie Mabel says grace. Auntie Mabel takes so long to say grace that the food ends up getting cold and they have to reheat it. I gave the book 5 stars because I enjoyed how the characters were so diverse. There were people of different races and different ages. I also really enjoyed the rhymes in the book, it was fun to read and I'm sure children would love it.

[Jozef Syndicate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is everything you think it is. Lol. A fun, rhyming story of a family trying to enjoy Sunday dinner (a feast) until Auntie Mabel blesses the table. A laughable story told as it should be told. We paired this read with a small cup of Golden Tea made with ice cold almond milk and a spoon of tumeric. 4.5stars

#jozefbookandbrew

[Teonna Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a comical account of a family gathering for Sunday dinner. The only drawback to the family gathering together to eat delicious food is Auntie Mabel's long blessing. Auntie Mabel thinks of and blesses everyone during her prayer-the food, everyone around the table, schools, teachers, ect. Because of this, the food has to be reheated and Poppa has to step in to end the prayer.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

snort!

[Marianna F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really cute and I see some potential for laughs out loud with some silly children :)

[Teresa Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the humor and fun text and illustrations in this story. It reminded me of a few long-winded blessings I've endured over the years.

[Dewi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku kocak dari aplikasi Epic.
Bibi Mabel gemar berdoa, semua hal diangkat dalam doanya…. sampai akhirnya makanan dingin dan harus dihangatkan ulang.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a supremely humorous picture book, but it's difficult to rate as the content seems aimed more for adults than children. Auntie Mabel gives a long-winded prayer at the supper table and everyone is exhausted from it. There is exquisite diversity amongst the family that feels genuine and the art choices are divine. Recommended.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations --family members appearances will delight young and older readers. Super funny story about prayer and family!

[Natasha North · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations and many folks (especially kiddos) can relate to the impatience that comes when hearing out a relative's prolonged words over a holiday meal.

[Rakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, rhyming story about a gregarious matriarch who takes a very long time to bless the family's Sunday dinner. A good book for parents looking for picture books with mutli-ethnic characters.

[Nyonontee Yonee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book!

[Lupine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and cute concept.

[Amory Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhymes, adorable illustrations, diverse representation, and low key religious practices. Cute!