a feast of cultures!
At RFRK, we’re all about food literacy, or the notion that food knowledge empowers kids to make informed & healthy choices. It also encourages them to celebrate diversity & connect deeply with their heritage, which is certainly the case for the kids book we’re highlighting today!
In Seoul Food, written by Erin Danielle Russell & illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, young Hana takes on a big culinary task: cooking a meal that incorporates both her Black & Korean heritage. Feeling worried her dish will be more confusion than fusion, she seeks advice from her mom who tells her to cook what makes her happy. From there, inspiration sets in, & she decides on a blend between a traditional southern gumbo & a Korean kimchi-jjigae (meaning stew).
Kids will love following Hana’s culinary adventure as she creates a unique meal that brings her family together, and even adults will appreciate the story’s emphasis on love, tradition, & the intertwining of two rich cultures.
As a bonus, Seoul Food includes a recipe for Hana’s kimchi gumbo! You can make her exact dish for your family, or add your own cultural twists for an even more international mash up. Educators, parents & caregivers can also visit Erin Danielle Russell’s website for Seoul Food discussion questions that help kids engage with the book even more.