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Lunch from Home

Author Joshua David Stein

Illustrated by Jing Li

Contributions by Niki Russ Federman, Ray Garcia, Preeti Mistry, Mina Park

Hardcover

$18.99 US

Penguin Young Readers | Rise x Penguin Workshop

8.99"W x 11.25"H x 0.4"D | 17 oz | 24 per carton

On sale Aug 30, 2022 | 40 Pages | 9780593384459

Age 3-6 years

Reading Level: Lexile AD620L | Fountas & Pinnell M

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What happens when a child’s favorite packed lunch is met with disparaging comments at the school lunch table?

In a classroom of sandwiches, four students stand out with their homemade, culturally-specific lunches. But before they can dig in and enjoy their favorite foods, their lunches are spoiled by scrunched noses and disgusted reactions from their sandwich-eating classmates.

Follow each of the four students as they learn to cope with their first “lunch box moments” in this picture book that encourages empathy and inspires all readers to stand up for their food! Inspired by the “lunch box moments” of four acclaimed chefs, Ray Garcia, Preeti Mistry, Mina Park, and Niki Russ Federman, this heartwarming story reminds us all that one’s food is a reflection of self and an authentic celebration of culture.

JOSHUA DAVID STEIN is a James Beard Award–winning author, journalist, and editor. His previous books include Notes from a Young Black Chef and My America, both with Kwame Onwuachi; Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing, with Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper; Dad, What’s for Dinner? with David Nayfeld; and many others. He has also written many children’s books, including Make New Friends, which was named one of the best children’s books of the year for 2025 by The New York Times. His writing has appeared in Esquire, New York, The New York Times, Financial Times, and elsewhere. He lives in Brooklyn. View titles by Joshua David Stein

Jing Li View titles by Jing Li

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Skipping Stones Honor Award - Multicultural & International - (2023)

Notable Social Studies Trade Book —National Council for the Social Studies and Children's Book Council (2023)

Amazon Best Book (2022)

"[Lunch From Home] touches on positive portrayals of diversity and inclusiveness and appreciating the connections between food, culture, and family traditions; the four kids in this story are based on real people, each of whom is a professional chef, which adds meaningful weight to their experiences. Bright, naturalistic art vibrantly depicts the kids in the classroom and, of course, their delicious-looking lunches." — Booklist

"[The] meals are lovingly described by Stein and depicted in vibrant color by Li in this epicurean picture book." — Publishers Weekly

"[A] layered tale about peer pressure and cultural pride around the lunch table." — San Francisco Chronicle

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