French Toast - by Kari-Lynn Winters (Paperback)

About the Book

Now in paperback! In a
celebration of culture and cuisine, a young girl finds resilience against
schoolyard teasing as she and her grandmother discuss the things she loves
about her mixed heritage.

Book Synopsis

"Simply told and cleverly imagined, French Toast is a great starting point for talking to young children about race, diversity, and respect." --Quill and Quire, ★ Starred Review

Phoebe--half Jamaican, half French-Canadian--hates her school nickname of "French Toast." So she is mortified when, out on a walk with her Jamaican grandmother, she hears a classmate shout it out at her. To make things worse, Nan-Ma, who is blind, wants an explanation of the name. How can Phoebe describe the color of her skin to someone who has never seen it? "Like tea, after you've added the milk," she says. And her father? "Like warm banana bread." And Nan-Ma herself? She is like maple syrup poured over...well...

In French Toast, Kari-Lynn Winters uses favorite foods from both of Phoebe's cultures to celebrate the varied skin tones of her family. François Thisdale's imaginative illustrations fill the landscape with whimsy and mouthwatering delight as Phoebe realizes her own resilience and takes ownership of her nickname proudly.

Review Quotes

2018 Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award shortlist

2017 Shining Willow Award shortlist

STARRED REVIEW: "French Toast looks as delectable as its title, thanks to François Thisdale's dreamlike illustrations: the landscapes seem to float in the background as giant loaves of banana bread and juicy peaches appear in the foreground....Winters obviously knows how to write for children. In this effective picture book, she engages her readers' imaginations - and their stomachs. She also doesn't dwell on negativity, but spins the story into one of self-affirmation...Simply told and cleverly imagined, French Toast is a great starting point for talking to young children about race, diversity, and respect."--Quill & Quire

"The illustrations are beautiful and the illustrator does beautiful portraits of his characters using digital media and acrylic....The author explains the concept of diversity in a positive life affirming way that children and adults will appreciate."--Resource Links

"When you are blind, you don't see skin color and you truly know that everyone is the same. Phoebe doesn't like it when kids from school call 'Hey, French Toast!' or tease her for her accent. Her Nan-ma is blind and asks Phoebe to describe the colors of family and friends. Their talk helps Phoebe to look at things in a different light."--The International Educator

"This is a beautiful book...The illustrations are wonderful and the descriptions of the food are perfect....It would be a good addition to a multi-cultural library. Kindergarten children will also enjoy the story read aloud to them. It will stimulate discussion on race."--Youth Services Book Review

"This book would make a great addition to a home or school library. It is an excellent way to introduce new cultures and to open the discussion of how to embrace who we are."--Library of Clean Reads

"This book is great for all ages and all colors."--Kids'BookBuzz

"French Toast is a delicious treat of a picture book that lets you explore a sophisticated topic in a way that is helpful and positive, but not simplistic."--Getting Kids Reading

"French Toast...feeds the spirit and bakes up multiple servings of compassion and open-mindedness, helpings we should all scoop out enthusiastically."--CanLit for LittleCanadians

"[A story about] the beauty in diversity and self-acceptance. With Thisdale's beautifully decadent and dream-like illustrations of the food described, this may be a story best read before snack time."--The Crimson Review of Children's & YA Literature

"Use this book to talk about differences, similarities, and kindness."--Imagination Soup

About the Author

Kari-Lynn Winters is an author, poet, and performer. With over sixteen picture and poetry books published, she has won the British Columbia Book Prize silver medal twice, and been nominated numerous times for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize and the Chocolate Lily Awards. Bad Pirate won the Rainforest of Reading Award. Kari-Lynn loves being in the classroom and now teaches drama in education at Brock University. She lives in St. Catharines, Ontario. Her most recent picture book is On the Line.

François Thisdale's work blends traditional drawing and painting with digital imagery. He is the illustrator of Missing Nimama, which won the TD Canadian Children's Book Award. The Stamp Collector is on the IBBY Honor List, and That Squeak was honor book for the IBBY Canada Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award. His New York Times-recommended title Bon Voyage, Mister Rodriguez was nominated for the same award. François lives in Montreal, Quebec.