Gumbo Joy

Reading a multicultural book that celebrates food, family, the blending of multiple cultures, traditions, and friendship brings me much joy. We need more books like this for younger children. Author Robert Dixon has written a children's picture book that gives him much joy too. He pays homage to the city he grew up in, New Orleans, its people, and their West African culture by sharing one of his favorite foods, gumbo. The main characters Papa and Rose embark on a culinary adventure to make a pot of gumbo which gives them great joy. Rose learns gumbo represents two cultures coming together, from West Africa's shores to New Orleans, Louisiana. This is beaucoup, a French word for many. The name gumbo comes from the word okra. As the storyline names the actual ingredients used to make gumbo, Rose's culinary adventure turns into a counting book, a clever way to insert another skill for this age group. The simmering pot of gumbo fills the air with a scent of joy. Readers are provided with positive family images as they sit down together to share and celebrate a meal of gumbo prepared by Papa and Rose made with love. I liked how inviting the book cover was showing a loving relationship between Papa and Rose.

I thought the repetition of numbers and words in the story is a real plus for young readers. The sentence structure is easy enough for 5-7-year-olds to read on their own. But can also be enjoyed by older readers. It's important that children no matter what race see themselves represented in stories with positive images. Shared reading with a parent or a teacher can initiate conversations on family rituals, favorite foods, and celebrations. A bonus in the back is a page on the history of gumbo and the author bio. A wonderful diverse book for a child's library.

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Robert P. Dixon JR. 

He is a proud New Orleans native. He learned the key aspects of cooking gumbo by going to all his neighborhood friends' homes in one day. He would eat at every person's house he stopped at. This was his routine after school and on the weekends. Once he finished his routine, he'd still eat once he got home. He enjoyed every bowl of "gumbo joy."  You can join the joy too by making your own pot of gumbo. 

Planting People Growing Justice Press is proud to be able to publish stories like Dixon's. Books like his are instrumental in the advancement of children's literacy and multicultural acceptance.