Tea Cakes for Tosh

Tosh spends time with his grandmother Honey, helping her bake tea cakes from an old family recipe. While they work together in the kitchen, Honey shares stories about their family history and the significance of these special cookies. The recipe and stories trace back to their ancestor, a woman who was enslaved and worked as a cook on a plantation. Each time Honey and Tosh make tea cakes together, the connection between past and present grows stronger. When Honey starts having memory problems, their cherished baking tradition faces a challenge. Tosh must find a way to preserve both the recipe and the important family stories that have been passed down through generations. This picture book explores themes of family bonds, preserving cultural heritage, and the power of shared memories and traditions. The story demonstrates how food can connect generations and keep history alive.

Readers connect with the emotional bond between Tosh and his grandmother as they bake tea cakes together and share family history. Parents and teachers note the book opens discussions about slavery, family traditions, and memory loss with children in an accessible way. Likes: - Don's illustrations capture warmth between characters - Clear explanation of difficult topics for young readers - Recipe inclusion lets families recreate the tradition - Shows positive African American family relationships Dislikes: - Some found the historical elements too brief - A few noted the story moves slowly for very young children Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (189 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (47 ratings) "The perfect blend of history and family love," wrote one teacher on Goodreads. A parent reviewer on Amazon noted: "My 6-year-old asked thoughtful questions about slavery after reading." School Library Journal gave it a starred review, praising how it handles "difficult history with grace."

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🍪 Author Kelly Starling Lyons was inspired to write this story after learning about the tradition of African American grandmothers passing down family recipes and stories through generations. 🫖 Tea cakes, featured prominently in the book, were a popular treat among enslaved African Americans, and the recipe was often one of the few possessions they could pass down to their children. 👵 The relationship between Tosh and his grandmother mirrors many African American families where grandparents play a vital role in preserving and sharing family history. 📚 The book addresses memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in a gentle, age-appropriate way that helps young readers understand how they can support family members experiencing these challenges. 🎨 Illustrator E.B. Lewis created the book's watercolor illustrations after spending time observing real grandmothers and their grandchildren to capture authentic moments of connection.