Bread Days [Hardcover]

Bookshop.org Best Kids Book

In this moving yet hopeful picture book for readers ages 4-8, a young girl rediscovers her passion for baking bread as she once did with her papa—and finds joy again in sharing it with her loved ones.

Nara loves nothing more than her bread days with Papa. Together, they mix, fold, and score dough, and eagerly watch as it rises to a delicious loaf in the oven. But one day, Papa is no longer there, and Nara’s bread days are suddenly empty. Instead, she’s left with feelings and memories that sadden and confuse her. But when Nara starts to take care of the sourdough starter she and Papa once made, she finds solace in bread days again—and, together with Mama, is able to keep a family tradition alive in memory of past loved ones.

From the author of The Most Perfect Persimmon, this picture book is a touching story of parent-child connection and the love language of food, as well as a comforting read for anyone who has experienced loss. Expressive cartoons are rendered with a soft pastel palette and peppered with charming details as Nara and Papa knead the dough... This delectable tale concludes with mother and child enjoying a warm loaf; a touching author's note closes out the work... A lovingly crafted tale, baked in with tender memories. — Kirkus Reviews

This is a wonderful book for children who are dealing with the aftermath of a familial loss. While it features a heavy topic, it’s done in a way that is light and shows how life goes on. —Booklist

When an unexpected death interrupts a special familial ritual, a child carries a shared legacy forward in this heartening story. —