Tasting Words
$29.46
- Hardcover
32 pages
- Release Date
27 October 2026
Summary
A clever little girl figures out a way to help her grandmother assimilate and make friends in a new country through her love of food—because there’s nothing like food to turn strangers into friends!
When Ava arrives in the United States, she can’t speak English, and at first the words feel strange in her mouth, like a new flavor. But soon, thanks to school and new friends, the words start flowing. She worries about her grandmother, though. Bibi is at home cooking most of the day, and …
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780593700051 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0593700058 |
| Author: | Dezh Azaad, Nelly Buchet, Sara Palacios |
| Publisher: | Nancy Paulsen Books |
| Imprint: | Nancy Paulsen Books |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 32 |
| Release Date: | 27 October 2026 |
| Weight: | 369g |
| Dimensions: | 9mm x 227mm x 262mm |
| Audience Age: | 3-7 |
Critics Review
“A child facilitates friendship between a relative and another older woman, neither of whom speaks the other’s language… . Azaad and Buchet’s story is as rich as one of Bibi’s (or Mémé’s) dishes: It touches on the challenges and rewards of learning a new language, the excitement of making a new friend, the importance of showing gratitude, and the satisfaction of facilitating someone else’s happiness. Palacios’ illustrations are glorious, capturing the narrative’s emotional subtleties… . A bighearted, nuanced, and original tale about assimilation and the universal language of food.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The power of food to bridge language barriers is at the heart of this warm story about love, culture, and connection… . As the two grandmothers bond through food, Ava discovers that meaningful connections don’t require shared words. The story concludes with Ava and Lucie welcoming a new friend, Omar, and his grandmother into their growing community, reinforcing the book’s message of inclusion and belonging. An author’s note provides additional insight into Persian and French language and customs. With its gentle message and rich cultural details, this is a heartwarming read that reminds readers that kindness, generosity, and a shared meal can speak louder than words.” —Booklist
Dezh Azaad
Nelly Buchet is the author of over a dozen books for young readers, including ALA Notables Dog vs. Strawberry and Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family, which received the Irma Black Award. Born in Paris, Nelly has lived in a handful of countries as a newcomer. She is currently learning Italian, which has a lot of tasty words!
Dezh Azaad is an Afghan writer who has been a refugee his entire life. He also wrote the picture books The Carpet (South Asia Book Award winner) and Sour Cherries: An Afghan Family Story. Dezh also loves to cook and try new flavors.
Sara Palacios received a Pura Belpre Honor for Marisol MacDonald Doesn’t Match (by Monica Brown), and her numerous other picture books include Between Us and Abuela (by Mitali Perkins) and Platanos Go with Everything (by Lissette Norman). She lives in San Francisco with her husband.
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