Bilal Cooks Daal
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1.0 • 1 Rating
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019
An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book 2019
Six-year-old Bilal introduces his friends to his favorite dish—daal!—in this charming picture book that showcases the value of patience, teamwork, community, and sharing.
Six-year-old Bilal is excited to help his dad make his favorite food of all-time: daal! The slow-cooked lentil dish from South Asia requires lots of ingredients and a whole lot of waiting. Bilal wants to introduce his friends to daal. They’ve never tried it! As the day goes on, the daal continues to simmer, and more kids join Bilal and his family, waiting to try the tasty dish. And as time passes, Bilal begins to wonder: Will his friends like it as much as he does?
This debut picture book by Aisha Saeed, with charming illustrations by Anoosha Syed, uses food as a means of bringing a community together to share in each other’s family traditions.
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Saeed, a founder of We Need Diverse Books, offers a relatable story about trying new foods and introducing friends to family traditions. Bilal loves daal and couldn't be happier to share it with his two friends, Elias and Morgan. The kids who, in Syed's friendly digital art, show just what they are feeling in their facial expressions help out with the spices: "Bilal breathes in the scent of turmeric, chili, cumin. Morgan sprinkles salt." But when Morgan and Elias express uncertainty (" It smells funny,' whispers Elias"), Bilal worries, thinking that maybe "his friends won't like daal at all." After an afternoon of fun, and with more friends in tow, it's time to eat. Readers worried about how their family meals will be received can take heart: Bilal's friends eagerly try and enjoy the meal. Ages 4 8.
