Every Sunday is Soul Food Sunday for the young Black boy narrating this story. Aunts and uncles and cousins gather. Usually the boy would play with his cousins, but this Sunday Granny says he’s old enough to help in the kitchen. Granny says, “Unless mac 'n’ cheese is on the table, it’s not Soul Food Sunday.” She shows him how to grate different kinds of cheese for mac n cheese. “Unless greens are on the table, it’s not Soul Food Sunday.” She shows him how to wash, rinse, roll, and rip the greens. Granny teaches him how to skin the chicken, strip the membrane from the ribs, and slice the hot sausage for the grill (which will be manned by Roscoe Ray, the “Grill Master”). Later, while Granny naps, the boy, wanting to do something special all by himself, makes a jug of sweet tea. “Unless sweet tea is on the table, it’s not Soul Food Sunday.” A narrative full of energy and rich descriptive language includes details and rituals of food preparation, along with the love and affirmation of family. The bright yellow backgrounds of the dazzling oil illustrations amplify the sense of warmth in this story. (Ages 4-8)

Granny teaches her grandson to cook the family meal in author Winsome Bingham and illustrator C. G. Esperanza’s picture book Soul Food Sunday, a loving celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table.

A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Illustrator Honor Book

On Sundays, everyone gathers at Granny’s for Soul Food.
But today, I don’t go to the backyard or the great room.
I follow Granny instead.
“You’re a big boy now,” Granny says. “Time for you to learn.”

At Granny’s, Sunday isn’t Sunday without a big family gathering over a lovingly prepared meal. Old enough now, our narrator is finally invited to help cook the dishes for the first time: He joins Granny in grating the cheese, cleaning the greens, and priming the meat for Roscoe Ray’s grill. But just when Granny says they’re finished, her grandson makes his own contribution, sweetening this Sunday gathering—and the many more to come.

Evocatively written and vividly illustrated, this mouthwatering story is a warm celebration of tradition and coming together at a table filled with love and delicious food.

“Esperanza’s vibrant illustrations are awash in saturated colors, photo-realistic facial expressions, and pronounced outlines, and they positively radiate this family’s joy and love for one another . . . Food-related words and onomatopoeia are called out in large, colorful fonts, adding to the reading fun.” —Booklist (Starred Review)

“This nourishing story will gratify soul food aficionados, as well as anyone who’s experienced how bonds strengthen through food and traditions.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)