A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat

This is one of our favorite children's books (and we own hundreds). We checked this out from the library so many times I finally decided to buy it. Imagine my surprise to come on here and see that this book has so many critical reviews (many, I noticed, from people who have never left a review before... hmmm) claiming this book to be racist.Maybe it's because we own several other wonderful children's books that cover the topic of racism, especially in the South in America (where we live) such as  Who Owns the Sun? , Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , The Story Of Ruby Bridges: Special Anniversary Edition , and  Follow the Drinking Gourd (Dragonfly Books)  among others ....But for us this book sparked many interesting discussions: (Why is the mother and daughter having to serve them but not getting to eat? Why do they have to hide in the cupboard to lick the bowl?) None of them "glossing over" the pained reality of racism as part of our history.Further the author and illustrator both address this in the back of the book.From the author:"This story includes characters who are slaves, even though there is by no means space to explore the topic of slavery fully. I wanted to represent American life in 1810 without ignoring that part of our history. I wrote about people finding joy in craftsmanship and dessert even within the lives of great hardship and injustice--because finding joy shows something powerful about the human spirit. Slavery is a difficult truth. At the end of the book, children can see a hopeful, inclusive community."From the illustrator:"Some questions were more difficult to answer: How did the slave girl feel, waiting on the family in 1810? And how did the other girl, roughly the same age, feel being waited on?"**There are definitely some uncomfortable expressions on this illustration in the book. The young white girl looks very squeamish as the girl her age is serving her. The mother serving looks somewhat uncomfortable as well.All of that to say, I think this is a lovely book that covers many aspects of American history. I'm glad it brought up slavery. I'm also glad that is showed a mother and her daughter overcoming despite an overwhelmingly horrible situation. I don't believe slavery or racism has been glossed over at all.And the last page, showing families of all different types and races coming together over a meal, everyone participating in preparing the meal (including men) certainly is a "hopeful" picture as the author suggested.

A Fine DessertEmily JenkinsIllustrated by Sophie Blackall Blackberry Fool, a dessert with history, brings four families together in a special way. Readers get to see how preparing this treat evolves as we travel through four centuries around the world. A mother and child milk their cow in England. An African-American slave and her daughter pick berries in their master’s garden. A stay-at-home mother and her two children beat their cream with rotary beaters. Then finally a father and son use a food processor for their berries in the 21st century. But who gets to eat the delicious delight once it is prepared? Jenkins creates an incredible timeline that teaches readers how families have lived in the past and how they live in the present. It’s a multicultural tale that shows how technology has affected us in many ways. The recipe included in the back matter reminds children to cook with an adult and to never ever forget to lick the bowl! Blackall’s use of blackberry juice and Chinese ink to complete her drawings takes readers on a voyage throughout each cook’s journey. The watercolor illustrations are relatable and detailed, making you feel a part of each story. The clothing, home decorations, and life styles that Blackall portrayed take the readers back in time to get a true feeling of that time period. Children will relish the beautiful landscapes and the end of each family’s story. Perhaps readers will be inspired to bake a fine dessert of your own after reading this delectable tale!BIBLIO: 2015, Schwartz & Wade Books/ Random House Children’s Books, Ages 4 to 8, $10.99REVIEWER: Hannah BalzerFORMAT: Picture BookISBN: 0375868321ISBN: 978-0375868320

I love Emily Jenkins' and Sophie Blackall's work: it celebrates family connections. I am irritated at the censorship of this work: the accurate illustrations do not degrade, but spark a historical conversation with a young child. I would tell its critics that it is never wise to rewrite history to cater to a current cause. To embrace a cause, it is always necessary to know the causes. This is a gentle teaching, such as what is necessary for early childhood modeling of constructivism.

I've read the other reviews debating whether the author should have included a slave family as part of the book, and while I agree that this book does offer an opportunity for parents and teachers to begin a conversation about slavery and social justice, I think it is important that it not be the only (and more importantly, not the first) story that we teach children about Black history. Read other books to your children that recognize and celebrate the rich and accompished history of Black Americans, as well. As a white woman and educator, I especially have to be intentional about this, and have a lot to learn. (Do yourself a favor -- watch the TED talk by Chimamanda Ngochi Adichie on "The danger of a single story").There are so many wonderful things about this book -- so many opportunities for critical thinking, comparing/contrasting, sequencing, making personal connections, and making the dessert, too! My students have loved it all.

This book contains lovely illustrations and a gentle and well told series of vignettes nicely connected by the dish "blackberry fool".