The 12 Days of A Soul Food Christmas by LaShonda M. Stewart
In LaShonda M. Stewart’s critically acclaimed children’s book (Leebeau Book Publishing), the author provides a new and exciting way for children to enjoy reading, get them into the Christmas spirit and teach them about going above and beyond for those we love. Stewart brings a whimsical and fun version of the traditional Christmas carol for the young readers.
In the story, Big Mama has her family over to celebrate the special holiday, and when they arrive, her grandchildren ask what she’ll be making for the Christmas season. She tells them she will be making all their favorite meals and begins to do so over the course of the next 12 days before Christmas. Each of her grandchildren’s favorite meals fits perfectly into the traditional song, bringing a new flare to the original.
A BOOK TO SING ALONG TO
As I was going from page to page, I found myself not only reading the words but singing them out loud as well. Watching Big Mama fill her dining table with all the food she makes for her grandchildren during those magical 12 days makes readers grateful for the special love shared with family, no matter how often they can visit.
What makes this particularly special is how perfectly Big Mama’s menu matches with the cadence of the original song, which creates a feeling of comfort and familiarity for those who enjoy the tune each year.
Instead of “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree,” the new line reads, “On the First day of Christmas, Big Mama gave to me: a big pot of Black-Eyed Peas.”
And many listeners’ favorite moment, “five golden rings,” is now “five chicken wings!!!!” with ample exclamation from Big Mama.
A VIBRANT CELEBRATION OF FAMILY
The book comes to life through colorful and bold illustrations created by JL Straw, and the text fits the tune of the original ”12 Days of Christmas” perfectly, making it uniquely readable and singable for parents and children. The pictures give readers an intimate glimpse into a family, helping to better understand the history of soul food and the importance of family gatherings in the Black community.
The author envisions the book, and the sing along, a great way for families to bond together during the holidays, with an activity in which they all can participate whether they are physically together or joyously singing the song via Zoom or some other virtual means.
The core theme of the book is one we can all relate to — having good, wholesome fun with your family while celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. Readers will want to share this book with their loved ones, young and old, every year for the holidays.
