BREAD IS LOVE

A family gathers for their weekly ritual of baking bread.

A mother and her two young children get to work (the elder narrates). They measure and mix flour, water, salt, and starter into a dough. Both kids are eager apprentices, and their mother takes their little messes in her stride. As they wait for the dough to rise, the narrator complains that “bread is slow!” Mama reminds the child that “bread is patience.” They work the dough till it’s a smooth ball. While the loaf rests for the night, the protagonist sleeps, too, dreaming of delicious breads. In the morning, Mama and children bake the loaf and wonder if it will balloon to a beautiful crust or collapse, “flat like a Frisbee.” Either way, Mama declares, “It does not matter. Bread is delicious.” They enjoy their treat with marmalade, chutney, and butter, basking in the comfort and joy of their beloved tradition. Makhijani’s endearing story sprinkles in baking basics with life lessons: “Sometimes bread is moody.” “Bread is unpredictable.” Tactile experiences—wet dough, gloppy sour starter, bready bubbles, and the fragrant baking smells—engage all the senses. Patterned textiles and foods cue this brown-skinned family as South Asian. Bright, jewel-toned illustrations, muted with a yellow light, create a cozy, lived-in feel.

A warmhearted story about togetherness and baking as a labor of love.