Alexander Robinson teacher-librarian Anita Neufeld recommends Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo to celebrate Asian Heritage Month this May.
Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo is a stunning wordless book that I love to recommend. The illustrations in this book are enthralling, lush and emotional.
As Jun starts school in her new home after moving to America from Hong Kong, she is scared and overwhelmed. But each day at lunchtime, she finds her familiar favourite foods – a little piece of home – packed inside her lunchbox. Over time, and with bravery, these lunches are not only a lifeline connecting her to her family, but also a path to connecting with others.
As I read Home in a Lunchbox aloud, students were struck right away by the way the artist uses colour in the book to represent both the difficulties Jun experiences and the love, belonging and connection held within something as simple as a lunchbox.
Home in a Lunchbox is available in SD42 libraries.
- Continue the celebration with the Asian Heritage Month Virtual Classroom created by teachers Yin Tsia and Leah Kitamura (click the images to browse).
