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Bread Comes to Life by George Levenson, photographs by Shmuel Thayer (2004)
In 2005, we recommended this book for its simple, rhyming text and beautiful, close-up color photographs that celebrate “the most ancient food that is still part of the modern diet.”
At the time, we didn’t realize that the book has a companion DVD for children, narrated by Lily Tomlin. George Levenson is, first and foremost, a filmmaker, so it’s no surprise that the DVD received positive reviews and was named a notable children’s video by the American Library Association. The DVD is available from Westwood (a Scholastic company). Watch a preview on the superb Bread Comes to Life website, www.informeddemocracy.com/bread
Bread Around the World
As George Levenson writes, bread is a special food because its “varieties and shapes reflect the diversity of world culture: Jewish challah, Russian rye, German pumpernickel, French baguettes, Italian focaccia, Irish soda, Arabian pita, Indian chapati, Mexican tortilla.”
Be sure to keep a copy of Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris alongside Bread Comes To Life, to help show the wide variety of bread products enjoyed around the world.
Unfortunately, we are not aware of any widely available children’s books about pita bread, challah, or chapati. Are we missing something? Please let us know!
Baking Bread with Children
Almost every cookbook for children includes a bread recipe or two. Some offer nothing but. Knead It, Punch It, Bake It! by Judith and Evans Jones, first published in 1981, was re-released ten years ago because the demand for a book about baking with children never let up.
Baking bread is kid-friendly. It offers opportunities to teach about science. There are rarely any sharp knives or gas stovetops involved. Kneading is a wonderful way for children (or adults!) to release stress and frustration. And the rise is truly magical.
There will be lots of time for reading while the house fills with delicious aromas!
You can download the booklist as a pdf.
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