Home in a Lunchbox

Praise

An Indie Next List Pick
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

“Memories of home, and images of lunch box contents, are rendered in elegant full-color illustrations alongside swirling hearts and emanata, suggesting feelings of comfort and love. In an exceptional debut, Mo deploys digital illustrations that expertly use selective coloring to depict an experience of finding common ground.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This remarkable story about finding comfort in a new home by bringing along familiar traditions is a must-purchase for picture book collections and will resonate with any child who has struggled to fit in.”  —School Library Journal, starred review

“Round-faced, endearing Jun is utterly expressive; her sadness upon returning home each day is especially palpable…A touching immigrant story that hits the heart—and stomach.” —Kirkus Reviews

“With its spare text (most of which is speech-bubble dialogue), the story is primarily conveyed through Mo’s sensitively drawn, sometimes paneled illustrations, which vividly depict Jun’s emotional state. This debut picture book captures the immigrant experience, highlighting the impact of small gestures of kindness and celebrating the unifying power of food across cultures and languages.” —Horn Book

“Lushly illustrated but with carefully sparse text, Home in a Lunchbox is a sensitive and warm debut. This book is a reminder for grown-ups of how differences can bring us together, and a story for children about making friends, bad days, and the warmth and comfort food from home can bring. This story reminds us all how anyone can feel lonely, but small gestures can travel for miles. A beautiful book.”—Erin E. Stead, illustrator of the Caldecott Medal–winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee
 
“This lushly illustrated book takes readers on a journey of memory and hope, highlighting the power of food to build connections across language, space, and time.”—Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners