Ahmad, Maidah. Muhammad’s Recipe for Remembering. Toronto: Annick Press, 2024.
How do we learn about those who came before us? How do we keep the memories of what happened in the past? In the books that are written about our ancestors? In photographs or momentos handed down from generation to generation? In the stories we are told by relatives?Â
In this picture book illustrated by Shruti Prabhu, a little boy looks for a way to share something at an upcoming school assembly being held to honour veterans of war. But while his great-great-grandfather was a soldier in World War I, the family has nothing left from that time. So Muhammad’s father takes him to the mosque to talk to people and write down their stories. The next day, at the assembly, Muhammad shares those stories and shows some roti – the bread soldiers from India made for their comrades who were tired of army rations. Accompanied by a recipe for roti and a two-page note from the author explaining the history of India’s involvement in World Wars I and II, this poignant story is highly recommended as a read-aloud for children 5 to 9 years old.
More stories about World War I
More stories about World War II
