Description
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 descriptions of 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.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 4 to 7
- Grade:
- k to 2
Awards
- Short-listed, Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award
- Short-listed, Shining Willow Award
Editorial Review
About French Toast
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 is a delightful picture book...that celebrates the joys of diversity."—Winnipeg Free Press
"Living in Quebec, we are very familiar with the French-Canadian culture and mixed marriages among the very diverse ethnic groups that live here. My son and I enjoyed this story and we liked its message. It's a book that should resonate well with children living in Quebec and perfect to introduce others to a culture that embraces mixed marriages....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
"We rated this book: 4.5/5...This book is great for all ages and all colors."—Kilian, Age 8, 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
"The imaginative artwork blends traditional drawing and painting with digital imagery using collage, acrylic, watercolor, and computer manipulation."—Omnilibros
"Use this book to talk about differences, similarities, and kindness."—Imagination Soup
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Annotations
Librarian review
French Toast
This is an important resource for young readers learning about race, culture, ethnicity, and what it means to be biracial. The book also explores the familial relationships between grandparent and child, and what it means to be differently abled. French Toast will help students contemplate and share the significance of their own names (and/or nicknames), and to take pride in the food associated with their culture The book makes effective use of simile to teach valuable lessons about culture and race.
Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Diversity Collection Selection 2017.
