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Our Ancestors' Kitchen
A poignant and poetic picture book celebrating traditional Indigenous harvesting, foods, and the connections that these build for all our relations.
It’s a special the young protagonist in this memorable story is learning her grandfather’s favorite recipe from her grandmother! As each ingredient is prepared for this special dish, readers will be eager to follow along as they are transported back to each instance of gathering, hunting, and harvesting foods in the traditional ways throughout the seasons.
Willie Poll’s poetic voice leads the readers through the seasons and what Mother Earth offers to us in nature in this beautiful celebration of the Earth, our foods, our family, and the importance of grieving those we love. With an emphasis on the importance of thanking the land for what is given to us, sharing with our community, and offering a plate to our ancestors, this gentle and thoughtful tale will resonate with readers young and old alike. Shaikara David’s bright and inviting illustrations carry the cooking experience from the kitchen, to the forest, and back again.
Featuring an author’s note on traditional harvesting practices and a recipe for Nuwish, Our Ancestors’ Kitchen is a joyous exploration of love, food, and culture.
It’s a special the young protagonist in this memorable story is learning her grandfather’s favorite recipe from her grandmother! As each ingredient is prepared for this special dish, readers will be eager to follow along as they are transported back to each instance of gathering, hunting, and harvesting foods in the traditional ways throughout the seasons.
Willie Poll’s poetic voice leads the readers through the seasons and what Mother Earth offers to us in nature in this beautiful celebration of the Earth, our foods, our family, and the importance of grieving those we love. With an emphasis on the importance of thanking the land for what is given to us, sharing with our community, and offering a plate to our ancestors, this gentle and thoughtful tale will resonate with readers young and old alike. Shaikara David’s bright and inviting illustrations carry the cooking experience from the kitchen, to the forest, and back again.
Featuring an author’s note on traditional harvesting practices and a recipe for Nuwish, Our Ancestors’ Kitchen is a joyous exploration of love, food, and culture.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 24, 2025
I received access to a preview copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
An Indigenous child explores their family’s history and culture as they help create their grandfather’s favourite meal.
I think this picture book will be well received. I enjoyed the illustration style quite a bit. The bright colours help make the illustrations very appealing, and the characters are very cute.
The story was alright. Not exactly an exciting plot, but one I’m sure many readers can relate to. The child and their grandmother create her grandfather’s favourite meal, and through the various traditional ingredients explore their culture and history. One thing I liked was how they used the traditional words for foods in the text, interspersed with the English translations, to explain the meanings. It flowed well, as opposed to having to flip back and forth to a glossary, or have text inserts on the page.
An Indigenous child explores their family’s history and culture as they help create their grandfather’s favourite meal.
I think this picture book will be well received. I enjoyed the illustration style quite a bit. The bright colours help make the illustrations very appealing, and the characters are very cute.
The story was alright. Not exactly an exciting plot, but one I’m sure many readers can relate to. The child and their grandmother create her grandfather’s favourite meal, and through the various traditional ingredients explore their culture and history. One thing I liked was how they used the traditional words for foods in the text, interspersed with the English translations, to explain the meanings. It flowed well, as opposed to having to flip back and forth to a glossary, or have text inserts on the page.
July 10, 2025
June was #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth and I wanted to share this beautiful children’s book I received from @annick_press 🧡
Our Ancestors’ Kitchen is full of warmth and love, with vibrant illustrations and stories about traditional Indigenous foods and teachings. But there’s also a quiet, heartbreaking layer underneath - a reminder of what was lost through residential schools, and the strength it takes to hold onto culture and pass it on. It’s gentle enough for kids, but you feel the weight as an adult reading it.
This is a book I’ll keep reading with my son. Now for the story and the colours, and later, when he’s older, to talk about the truth behind it and why it matters.
Thank you Annick Press for my gifted copy!
Our Ancestors’ Kitchen is full of warmth and love, with vibrant illustrations and stories about traditional Indigenous foods and teachings. But there’s also a quiet, heartbreaking layer underneath - a reminder of what was lost through residential schools, and the strength it takes to hold onto culture and pass it on. It’s gentle enough for kids, but you feel the weight as an adult reading it.
This is a book I’ll keep reading with my son. Now for the story and the colours, and later, when he’s older, to talk about the truth behind it and why it matters.
Thank you Annick Press for my gifted copy!
February 26, 2025
I loved this! The little girl in the story is making a dish from her culture (I’m still not sure what it’s called but I desperately wanting to eat it), and along the way, the child pictures her ancestors gathering the ingredients or explored memories about those foods (like maple taffy!). Though the book doesn’t explicitly say, I think the Indigenous words included are from the Objibwe tribe (based on my googling, at least).
This is a great book for anyone and can either act as a mirror for Indigenous people or a window for those who don’t know much about the culture. When I read books from cultures other than my own, I tend to adore the ones that include language and food as they feel like the backbone of a culture and this book has that. It also includes a recipe in the back for soapberry ice cream, and now I need to figure out where to find fresh soapberries.
I also adored the way the animal spirits were drawn. They looked magical with their intricate details and blue hue. It definitely added to the sense of respect of plants and animals that this book conveyed.
ARC through NetGalley
This is a great book for anyone and can either act as a mirror for Indigenous people or a window for those who don’t know much about the culture. When I read books from cultures other than my own, I tend to adore the ones that include language and food as they feel like the backbone of a culture and this book has that. It also includes a recipe in the back for soapberry ice cream, and now I need to figure out where to find fresh soapberries.
I also adored the way the animal spirits were drawn. They looked magical with their intricate details and blue hue. It definitely added to the sense of respect of plants and animals that this book conveyed.
ARC through NetGalley
December 8, 2024
This is an amazing book! I love how the author decided to make the central theme about food/recipes and how they connect to memories and family history. Additionally, I love how this book is about Indigenous culture and their foods. This is so important in a kids' book because it's important for Indigenous culture to be present in ALL kids' lives, and especially meaningful for Indigenous children to learn about their heritage and ancestors. I even learned a lot about Indigenous culture, and all of the stuff included in this book is utterly beautiful and highly fascinating. I know for sure that, due to the variety and structure of this book, readers will be engaged for the entire story and will enjoy it as well. This book is definitely well-written and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. Lastly, the illustrator made *breathtaking* and flawless pictures that perfectly captured the wonder and enchantment that come with exploring memories through family recipes.
Bravo!!!
Bravo!!!
October 13, 2024
The main character is this story is learning how to make the favorite dish of her grandfather, who has passed on. Each smell, each ingredient, reminds her of times she spent with her grandfather, as well, as stories she has heard of her ancestors.
Her grandmother explains that their heritage, their food was very important, and that at one time, the government, in this case Canada, tried to remove the Indigenous people from their food, and their language.
Very easy to read picture book makes it easy for children to see how important food is to culture.
There is even a recipe at the end to make one of the dishes mentioned in the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 1st of April, 2025.
Her grandmother explains that their heritage, their food was very important, and that at one time, the government, in this case Canada, tried to remove the Indigenous people from their food, and their language.
Very easy to read picture book makes it easy for children to see how important food is to culture.
There is even a recipe at the end to make one of the dishes mentioned in the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 1st of April, 2025.
October 27, 2024
This is a sweet story about a girl and her grandmother cooking and all of the culturally significant memories that the ingredients and the meals bring up for them.
A solid choice for primary grades especially during autumn, winter, or indigenous units.
The illustrations are cute, love how they tied into her memories, but some were almost a little anime-esque. My child had some difficulty r understanding what was happening because the emotions displayed were a bit over the top.
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the advanced copy.
A solid choice for primary grades especially during autumn, winter, or indigenous units.
The illustrations are cute, love how they tied into her memories, but some were almost a little anime-esque. My child had some difficulty r understanding what was happening because the emotions displayed were a bit over the top.
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the advanced copy.
January 11, 2025
This picture book is so lovely!
I'm a Cherokee citizen, which originates from the southeastern U.S., so many of our traditions and cultures are separate, but what is lovely about this book is how it shows culture and tradition as something that can be examined by everyone.
I loved the art showing the past melting into the present as the main character cooked. In the art the main character is able to almost break a barrier and see her ancestors cooking and gathering before her.
It was an excellent message, educational and lovely.
I'm a Cherokee citizen, which originates from the southeastern U.S., so many of our traditions and cultures are separate, but what is lovely about this book is how it shows culture and tradition as something that can be examined by everyone.
I loved the art showing the past melting into the present as the main character cooked. In the art the main character is able to almost break a barrier and see her ancestors cooking and gathering before her.
It was an excellent message, educational and lovely.
January 13, 2025
This beautiful picture book introduces younger audiences to the concept that food unites us. As we eat traditional foods there is an opportunity to pass on ancestral wisdom. The illustrations and tone of the book are wonderful and most importantly not too overwhelming for younger readers.
While the book is specifically about a Native family the lessons carry over to all people, and could lead to an interesting discussion about traditional foods and regional farming/harvesting practices.
While the book is specifically about a Native family the lessons carry over to all people, and could lead to an interesting discussion about traditional foods and regional farming/harvesting practices.
July 14, 2025
Having worked on the Navajo Reservation for 20 I have a heart for Native peoples and a passion for sharing literature about those peoples. One of my standards has always been that the literature needs to identify the people group it is discussing. Our Ancestors’ Kitchen does not do that. The author uses native terms (not sure which language as it isn’t identified) and doesn’t always include an in context definition. A glossary would have been helpful as would an author’s note about the tribe depicted in the story.
I do love the concept of the story - learning about culture through food and the fact that tastes can invoke strong memories. The child in the story does have a vivid imagination - she is able to “see” ancient peoples just by tastes - the tastes probably remind her of stories she has previously heard.
Because there is no specific tribe mentioned in the book, I cannot recommend the book for school libraries, although librarians may want to read the book for themselves to determine if the book is appropriate for their audience.
I received a complimentary copy of Our Ancestors’ Kitchen. This is my honest review.
I do love the concept of the story - learning about culture through food and the fact that tastes can invoke strong memories. The child in the story does have a vivid imagination - she is able to “see” ancient peoples just by tastes - the tastes probably remind her of stories she has previously heard.
Because there is no specific tribe mentioned in the book, I cannot recommend the book for school libraries, although librarians may want to read the book for themselves to determine if the book is appropriate for their audience.
I received a complimentary copy of Our Ancestors’ Kitchen. This is my honest review.
March 1, 2025
Our Ancestors' Kitchen, written by Willie Poll, tells the story of a young child learning the recipes of her ancestors, including her grandmother's favorite recipe. This picture book, with beautiful words and illustrations, talks us through the traditions of harvesting, as well as different Indigenous foods. I also loved the way that the grandchild is encouraged to remember her ancestors and their language - something the grandmother was not permitted to do in the same way when she was growing up.
I really appreciated this book, and the way it shows the different foods and traditions that the characters celebrate. I can see this as being a wonderful book for families to share together, or as a way to learn about Indigenous traditions.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, illustrator, and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really appreciated this book, and the way it shows the different foods and traditions that the characters celebrate. I can see this as being a wonderful book for families to share together, or as a way to learn about Indigenous traditions.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, illustrator, and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2025
A wonderful read. I love the ideas about ancestors connect us to food and the land. Being in harmony is about living off the land.
In the story, a girl makes a family dish with her grandmother and as each ingredient is added, she has a memory of an ancestor connected to the ingredient. Very well told.
The artwork looks digital, it didn't say. The artwork was ok. It's not the highlight of this story. I loved the ancestors they discussed. Their spirits felts so close.
The one issue I have with the story is that they used some native words and never defined them. Most stories would define the words in the back. I find that a missed opportunity.
There is a recipe for ice cream in the back. I don't know why ice cream, but there you go.
Kids who love family and food will enjoy this.
In the story, a girl makes a family dish with her grandmother and as each ingredient is added, she has a memory of an ancestor connected to the ingredient. Very well told.
The artwork looks digital, it didn't say. The artwork was ok. It's not the highlight of this story. I loved the ancestors they discussed. Their spirits felts so close.
The one issue I have with the story is that they used some native words and never defined them. Most stories would define the words in the back. I find that a missed opportunity.
There is a recipe for ice cream in the back. I don't know why ice cream, but there you go.
Kids who love family and food will enjoy this.
October 15, 2024
A young girl and her grandmother are cooking a special meal for the entire family, and with each new ingredient, our main character is reminded of their ancestral land and her ancestors before her.
What a beautiful message of tradition and reverence, with gorgeous illustrations! The back pages have a lovely prompt of reflection about our individual foods and families, as well as what looks like a delicious recipe for nuwish (soapberry ice cream!)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a beautiful message of tradition and reverence, with gorgeous illustrations! The back pages have a lovely prompt of reflection about our individual foods and families, as well as what looks like a delicious recipe for nuwish (soapberry ice cream!)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2025
Thank you to Annick Press for sending this book our way to read and enjoy.
This was a great read, we loved how we are making our main characters grandfathers favourite meal but we loved seeing how each ingredient was chosen and gathered. What a special time cooking with any family member is and creates those long lasting memories. With my grandma I always remember making sugar cookies from scratch and decorating them. It really just brings people together and I appreciate that in a story. We also enjoyed the illustrations.
We would recommend this read to other readers.
This was a great read, we loved how we are making our main characters grandfathers favourite meal but we loved seeing how each ingredient was chosen and gathered. What a special time cooking with any family member is and creates those long lasting memories. With my grandma I always remember making sugar cookies from scratch and decorating them. It really just brings people together and I appreciate that in a story. We also enjoyed the illustrations.
We would recommend this read to other readers.
April 28, 2025
Our ancestors teach us that there are memories in our meals.
There is magic in our cooking.
There is culture in our food.
This picture book about learning and conjuring images of the past through cooking contains lovely sentiment and beautiful illustrations. I suspect, however, that it the concept will be enjoyed more by adults than children. Hopefully families will be inspired to relate memories over shared meals.
Thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for the read.
There is magic in our cooking.
There is culture in our food.
This picture book about learning and conjuring images of the past through cooking contains lovely sentiment and beautiful illustrations. I suspect, however, that it the concept will be enjoyed more by adults than children. Hopefully families will be inspired to relate memories over shared meals.
Thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for the read.
May 4, 2025
Wonderfully written!
This book is a celebration of indigenous traditions. We follow along through the seasons as they harvest foods and prepare her grandfather’s favorite recipe. The story celebrates family and connection. Poetic text & vibrant illustrations really bring out the message of this story.
A wonderful way to introduce cultures to your little ones. Also makes a great addition to any classroom or homeschool. So many opportunities to learn and share.
Enjoy with your family.
This book is a celebration of indigenous traditions. We follow along through the seasons as they harvest foods and prepare her grandfather’s favorite recipe. The story celebrates family and connection. Poetic text & vibrant illustrations really bring out the message of this story.
A wonderful way to introduce cultures to your little ones. Also makes a great addition to any classroom or homeschool. So many opportunities to learn and share.
Enjoy with your family.
March 29, 2025
Beautifully illustrated! And love love love the story. The beauty of culture and food and family that flows on these pages is perfection. I love the celebration of Indigenous Peoples and their culture, traditions, foods, and history. This story & message could be applied to so many cultures, and the love that is shown to ancestors through traditions.
July 21, 2025
I enjoyed this and thought it was very well done. The illustrations are bright and colorful and it was interesting to see how all the foods the girl and her grandmother made connected in her head to stories of her ancestors. I thought parts of it could flow a little better, but overall I thought the story was quite nice.
August 27, 2026
A wonderful book that gives you a peek into the importance of food in an Indigenous families culture. For each ingredient that is added you see how the food was collected, the ancestors who also collected food the same way, and the gratefulness of having food. You can feel the love from the family as they share a meal at the end of the story.
November 5, 2024
This book is a celebration of the cultural importance of food, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous traditions. There is even an easy, but intriguing, recipe at the end of the book that is worth trying.
Sweet and inspirational.
Sweet and inspirational.
March 14, 2026
This book made me hungry. A celebration of Anishnabek/Ojibwe cultures and histories in food and bringing a family together.
April 4, 2025
This Indigenous Canadian picture book shows the relationship between a child and their grandma and how cooking brings people and culture together. While reading this story to my little one, I was brought back to my own childhood, when I had maple popsicles on a stick in winter, picked berries with family, and had large extended family meals.
Thank you to @netgalley for providing this arc.
Thank you to @netgalley for providing this arc.
December 28, 2024
Book 072 of 350 ~ 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book was really beautifully illustrated and had a great story behind it...
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book072of350 #netgalley #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book was really beautifully illustrated and had a great story behind it...
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book072of350 #netgalley #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
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