Where do tacos come from? What about pizza? We have all heard stories of food coming from one place or another and even some stories about different places claiming the first of a food. Today I get to share a fun new book with you that explores the origins of some of our favorite foods and how they became what they are today. The book is The Traveling Taco: The Amazing & Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods by Mia Wenjen and illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong. Mia blogs over at Pragmatic Mom and is cofounder of Read Your World (formerly Multicultural Children's Book Day). The book is recommended for ages 5 to 8.
From the Publisher:
A mouthwatering exploration of the history of kids’ favorite foods from around the world.From pizza to pasta and ice cream to French fries, some of our favorite foods have a surprising history, and many of them have traveled far from where they originated!
Did you know many well-known dishes are food immigrants? The Al Pastor Taco traveled from Lebanon to Puebla, Mexico... French fries originated in Belgium... And pasta arrived in Italy long before Marco Polo visited China.
This fascinating nonfiction book featuring rhyming text takes the reader on travels around the world to celebrate foods, their history, and surprising origins. Join Mia Wenjen for a fact-packed journey of discovery that will make your mouth water as you travel the unexpected road of some of our favorite foods.
From Me:
I LOVE this book!! I wish I had it when Hazel was younger. Mia has done the research and shares the stories behind some favorite foods. Foods like al pastor tacos, French fries, pasta, ice cream, fish and chips, churros, cheesecake, pizza, rice pudding, ceviche, jerk chicken, and pavlova. On each page she explains what the food is, where it is from or at least thought to be from, how it has changed over time and other interesting facts. The pages are colorful and diverse and share some of the history and cultures for the foods. It is so well done and full of so much information.
I see so many places a book like this could be used. I mean it is an interesting read on its own however to introduce different cultures or in a classroom setting exploring different cultures. Almost every elementary school I know of has a celebration of cultures with families sharing food from their culture. This book would be perfect to share during one of those. Or when the lower school at the school I teach at did a project-based learning week about different countries this book would have been a valuable addition.
To go along with this book, I could see researching the places a child's favorite food is from. For example if your child loves ice cream (and who doesn't?), explore a bit more about China. Or research Augustus Jackson and his invention of the making ice cream in a modern way. And of course, trying some of the food that is in the book. Not everyone has tried ceviche or rice pudding. You can find a recipe or find a place to get some and have a family taste test. This book has so many wonderful uses as well as just being fun!! Check it out and learn a bit more about where some foods are actually from--you'll be surprised!
