Bread days

When an unexpected death interrupts a special familial ritual, a child carries a shared legacy forward in this heartening story. On Bread Days, Nara first greets Papa, then the sourdough starter she's named Paolo, which she feeds with flour and water ("One bubble. Two bubbles. Soon, Paolo filled his jar with bubbles"). Nara and Papa next mix, fold, shape, and score the dough, then bake it. But Papa misses the next Bread Day, and after that, "Papa was gone." Without his sticky notes and flour spills, the kitchen "was too clean and tidy," until Nara and Mama begin to feed a dormant Paolo and start baking again. Chung's digital illustrations open with golds and pinks that echo the warmth of Bread Days, shift to blues and olives as Nara mourns Papa's absence, then skillfully incorporate the two palettes for a visual hint at the enduring cycle of life. Characters cue as East Asian. An author's note concludes. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)

A young girl finds a way to honor her father's memory. It's Bread Day, and Nara and Papa set about feeding their sourdough starter, affectionately named Paolo. "One bubble. Two bubbles. Soon, Paolo fill[s] his jar with bubbles." Expressive cartoons are rendered with a soft pastel palette and peppered with charming details as Nara and Papa knead the dough; finally, Papa scores the loaf, replicating a crayon drawing from Nara. But the gentle narrative takes a melancholy, somewhat abrupt turn when Bread Day rolls around again. Papa's not here, and Mama tells Nara that they won't be baking bread. Nara sadly places Paolo in the fridge. Cool grays and blues are deftly incorporated into the scenery as Nara struggles with grief; though Chung never states what has happened to Papa, it's heavily implied that he's died. The kitchen is now too clean and tidy, sharpening Nara's pain. Eventually, she takes action, pulling out the ingredients and covering the cabinet doors with her father's notes and her drawings. Mama's there to offer a hug when Nara becomes distraught, believing that Paolo has gone, too. But as Paolo revives, so do Nara's memories of her father. This delectable tale concludes with mother and child enjoying a warm loaf; a touching author's note closes out the work. Nara and her family read East Asian. A lovingly crafted tale, baked in with tender memories.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.