Kalamata's Kitchen

by Sarah Thomas, Derek Wallace (Created by), Jo Kosmides Edwards (Illustrator)

Overview

Dora the Explorer meets No Reservations in this delicious picture book debut! Follow Kalamata and her alligator sidekick on the first of many exciting food adventures in a charming story about facing fears and overcoming back-to-school jitters.

Grown-ups never seemed to notice, but Kalamata's kitchen table was magical. Under her table, she and Al Dente could transport themselves anywhere....

Tomorrow is Kalamata's first day at a new school, and she's nervous! What if the kids aren't friendly? Or worse, what if they don't like alligators!? If only Kalamata and Al Dente could go to back to the Indian spice market they visited this summer, then maybe she'd remember how to feel brave when new experiences seem scary.

Luckily for Kalamata, all the magic required for her journey is right in her own kitchen! As Kalamata and her alligator friend, Al Dente, transport themselves to a magical land filled with tasty ingredients, she realizes being brave is exciting! And most importantly, she learns that when we're nervous about trying new things, food can comfort us and remind us to stay curious, courageous, and compassionate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593307915
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	07/20/2021
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	238,471
Product dimensions:	10.30(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD760L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sarah Thomas is the co-creator and Chief Imaginator of Kalamata's Kitchen, but she considers her title of Professional Try-Things-Twicer the most important of all. Sarah grew up surrounded by the delicious scents and flavors of her mother's Indian Kerala cuisine. Her love of food and storytelling led Sarah to the hospitality industry, and though she was a sommelier for years, these days she's focused on introducing Kalamata and her Taste Buds to as many new friends as possible.

Derek Wallace is the creator of Kalamata's Kitchen. He spent sixteen years working in sales and marketing leadership, until in 2016, he realized how much he wanted to inspire his son, Henry, to experience the world through the lens of food. So, he came up with the idea of a little girl named Kalamata, and has devoted himself to introducing her to the world ever since.

Jo Kosmides Edwards is the Doodling Dynamo of Kalamata's Kitchen. She thinks of herself as a maker with a love for creating in many mediums, including books, murals, and fine art. Her love of food started as child in her father's restaurant, where she earned the reputation of "the kid who would try anything."

Editorial Reviews

06/28/2021

It’s the night before brown-skinned Kalamata’s first day at a new school, and despite earlier excitement, nervousness now overwhelms. But with the emotional support of her stuffed alligator Al Dente—and a little help from her mother—Kalamata might be able to revisit the bravery she experienced at an Indian spice market over the summer: “Al wasn’t scared to try ANYTHING in the market!... Maybe we should go back!” As Mama opens the spice cabinet and begins cooking, Thomas follows Kalamata’s imaginative journey beneath the kitchen table with plenty of transportive sensory details: “There was a sizzle in the distance, and the world blossomed into a deep, dense curry-leaf forest.” Edwards illustrates vivid, earth-toned digital spreads with Indian-inflected designs and patterns. This picture book sweetly portrays one child finding comfort in her heritage. Back matter features a recipe for Kalamata’s Dal and a brief glossary of ingredients and methods mentioned. Ages 4–8. (July)

Publishers Weekly

07/01/2021

K-Gr 3—While her mother prepares dinner, Kalamata is anxiously anticipating her first day of school. She talks about not going, so she and her alligator, Al Dente, slide under the magic dining room table to go for a little trip. The trip is full of the delicious smells and sounds of her mom making dinner, which turns out to be a South Asian dish, dal. A recipe is included so readers can try recreating the exciting adventure at home. Kids who like to cook or like to try new foods will be intrigued by the food descriptions and figurative language, such as comparing the popping of mustard seeds to fireworks. The artwork is vibrant and vivid, with deeply saturated colors, conveying what the heroine is seeing and experiencing. This is apparently the start of a series of books about Kalamata and her culinary travels. VERDICT This is a fun adventure story, with the benefit of piqueing interest in international cooking.—Debbie Tanner, S D Spady Montessori Elem., FL

School Library Journal

2021-05-19
Kalamata, who is about to start a brand-new school, is trying to figure out how to be brave.

She remembers a time she and her family visited a spice market in India where, when faced with the intimidating crowd and all of the new sights and sounds and smells, Kalamata’s curiosity got the better of her nerves. Maybe, Kalamata thinks, if she can remember how she channeled that bravery, she can find the courage to be OK with going to school tomorrow. Kalamata climbs under the kitchen table with her stuffed-animal alligator, Al Dente, and works some under-the-table magic to transport herself back to the spice market. In her fanciful imagination, the stalls full of delicious ingredients transform into multicolored mountains, curry-leaf jungles, and even fluffy snowstorms. By the time she is ready to return to her hideaway under the table, Kalamata has found her courage—as well as her sense of adventure. The book’s vivid collage illustrations feature saturated hues and a female protagonist with dark skin and black, textured hair. The text is lyrical and poetic, conjuring clever and unexpected images that invoke all five senses. The plot, however, feels unfinished, particularly since there is no clear reason why Kalamata’s visit to the spice market results in her subsequent bravery, making the change in her character unconvincing. A final spread offers a map of India and some facts about cooking and spices.

A beautifully illustrated, lyrical picture book with an underwhelming plot. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

Kalamata’s Kitchen is an inspiring picture book for the next generation of curious eaters and courageous cooks.” –Bon Appétit
"A beautifully illustrated, lyrical picture book" –Kirkus Reviews

“This picture book sweetly portrays one child finding comfort in her heritage.” –Publishers Weekly

“[Reminds] readers to remember all the ways they are brave every day, even in their imaginations. This helps prepare for new experiences with confidence rather than anxiety.” –Booklist

From the Publisher