By Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Roaring Brook Press, 2019
Picture book, 48 pages, ages 2-6
Fry bread is food.
Fry bread is time.
Fry Bread is nation.
Fry bread is us.
A modern Native American family comes together to make fry bread. They are diverse and it’s not specified which tribe they’re from, but maybe that’s the point. The story starts with a simple recipe – flour, salt, water, cornmeal, baking powder – shaped in individual ways, fried in a hot skillet, brought to the table to be eaten with foods both sweet and savory. The family enjoys the feast and their identity is shared and passed down to the next generation.
A delicious celebration of Native American identity and food.
Back matter includes the author’s own recipe for fry bread and a lengthy but fascinating author’s note.
Fry Bread asks – and helps answer – what makes someone Native American. It’s deceptively simple, containing so many details and teachable moments, carefully researched. A highly recommended book for any reader, young or old. But have a snack handy – reading it made me hungry. I wanted to eat fry bread!
This is Kevin Noble Maillard’s debut picture book, deftly and lovingly written. He clearly has a passion for fry bread and words – like a master chef, he uses simple vocabulary and perfectly chosen descriptions to cook a wonderful story.
I love the illustrations! Juana Martinez-Neal is one of my favorite illustrators and this proves she is top tier. Her textures, details, expressions, joy, and thoughtfulness draw you in and invite you to sit awhile with each page. This is a book to be savored.
Whether Native American or non-Native American, Fry Bread will broaden your horizons and deepen your appreciation for Native American cuisine and culture.
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard gets 5 stars from this reviewer.