Stay for Dinner

Stay for Dinner is a heartwarming picture book that celebrates the beauty of cultural traditions, identity, and connection-especially through the universal language of food. From the creators of The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name, winner of the 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia's Award for New Illustrator, this powerful story invites young readers to explore how something as simple as dinnertime can look different across households. Reshma loves eating dinner with her family using their hands-not just picking up finger food, but embracing the full, tactile experience of traditional meals. As she visits her friends' homes, she discovers a wonderful array of eating styles: from ting ting cutlery to click clack chopsticks. These moments spark questions about what it means to be different, and whether her own family's way of eating will be accepted by others. With expressive illustrations and warm storytelling, Stay for Dinner opens conversations about inclusion, belonging, and pride in one's heritage. It encourages children to appreciate and respect the diverse customs they may encounter in their communities, making it a valuable and inclusive addition to every home and classroom library.

Educational Benefits:

• Promotes cultural inclusivity and acceptance through shared experiences
• Encourages self-expression and confidence in personal and family identity
• Builds vocabulary and comprehension through narrative-driven storytelling
• Supports social and emotional development by exploring empathy and belonging

Classroom Ideas:

• Invite students to share or draw their own family mealtime traditions
• Host a classroom discussion or multicultural food day to explore different eating customs
• Use the story to introduce lessons on table manners and dining etiquette in various cultures
• Create a classroom book of "Our Mealtime Stories" inspired by the book's themes

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages: 4+
• Book dimensions: Approximately 28 x 24.5 cm
• Format: Hardcover or paperback (depending on edition)
• Safety information: No small parts or materials of concern; safe for early childhood and primary settings