More information on the book here

Meet Makeda! A joyful, creative 7-year-old who loves to make things and solve problems. On her birthday, instead of bringing in the usual cupcakes, she makes coconut drops, a special treat from her culture. But what will her classmates think? This book is wonderful for talking about being brave enough to share something personal and different, the pride that comes from making something yourself, and celebrating the things that make each of us unique. It's also a great conversation starter about food and traditions from different backgrounds.

Discussion Questions

• What did Makeda decide to bring in for her birthday instead of cupcakes?
• Have you ever done something different from everyone else? How did that feel?
• Why do you think Makeda's treat was so special to her?
• What is a food that is special to your family that not everyone might know about?

Playdough Favorite TreatJust like Makeda brought in something special from her own family, your learner will use playdough to sculpt their family's favorite food or treat. This is a great fine motor activity AND a sweet way to celebrate what makes each family unique.

Supplies

• Playdough (or any modeling dough) in favorite colors (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: toothpicks, small beads, or craft supplies for details

Steps

1. Before starting, ask your child: what is a food your family loves or makes for special occasions? It can be anything: a dish grandma makes, a holiday treat, a favorite snack, whatever feels special to them.
2. Talk about what it looks like: what colors, what shape, what size?
3. Use the playdough to build it! Encourage them to think about details: does it have toppings? Is it round or flat? Does it come in pieces?
4. When it's finished, set it on the plate and let them present it, just like Makeda presented her coconut drops.
5. Ask them to tell you everything about it — what it's called, who makes it, what it tastes like.
   
   

Tips for Parents

• There are no wrong answers here! A bag of chips counts just as much as a grandmother's recipe. The point is that it's meaningful to THEM.
• Write down what your child tells you about the food while they're sculpting. You might end up with the start of a really sweet family recipe book.

Extensions

• Talk about what makes something a tradition. Why do families make certain foods for special occasions? Does your family have a dish like that?
• Bake a special treat together!
• Look up Jamaican coconut drops together. Where does the recipe come from? Find Jamaica on a map!