Comfort Food: The Book List #CYBILS2024

Today we’re whipping up some book deliciousness. Shall we keep going with our metaphors? Okay! Read on to taste stories where

• characters stir the pots;
• wanna-be chefs mix it up in cooking competitions;
• where ingredient “mishaps” create new family recipes;
• secret ingredients are shared; and
• food feeds our souls!

From passing down family recipes to saving the family business to becoming our own self, these are the stories that nourish us. Bon Appetit. 

A book included in this list doesn’t imply anything about its eligibility for a CYBILS Award, nor is it an endorsement.

This post contains buy links which earn the CYBILS Awards advertising fees through Bookshop.org and Amazon Associates. 

Book covers link to Goodreads. Blurbs extracted from Goodreads.

Awe-samosas!

It’s Noor’s first time making her Dadijaan’s Special Samosa recipe. When she can’t get in touch with her Dadijaan because it’s nighttime in Pakistan, Noor must improvise to make her family’s recipe without all of the correct ingredients. Noor uses her creativity and problem-solving skills to create something new and exciting for her flaky, super-crispy Awe-samosas!
Fiction Picture Book nomination, 2024

The Baker and the Bard

Juniper and Hadley spend their respective days apprenticing at a little bakery and performing at the local inn. When a stranger places an unusual order at the bakery, the two friends set out on a journey to forage the magical mushrooms needed to make the requested pastries. Along the way, Juniper and Hadley stumble across a mystery too compelling to ignore: Something has been coming out of the woods at night and eating the local farmers' crops, leaving behind a trail of glowing goo. What started as a simple errand to pick mushrooms soon turns into a thrilling quest to save some furry new friends―and their caretaker, a soft-spoken little fey named Thistle―who are in danger of losing their home.
Young Adult Graphic Novel nominee, 2024

The Bakery Dragon

Ember's fearsome roar sounds more like a polite sneeze, and when he breathes fire, the villagers pat his head and say awwww. Ember fears he’ll never collect a respectable hoard of gold ... until he has a chance encounter with a baker. Magic shimmers on every page of this feel-good story that celebrates baked goods, dragons, and generosity in equal measure.
Fiction Picture Book submission, 2024

The Cookie Crumbles

Laila gave Lucy a cupcake on the second day of kindergarten, and they've been inseparable ever since. But the summer before eighth grade, they find out that since they live on opposite sides of town, they’ll go to different high schools. When Laila is invited to compete at the Golden Cookie competition, which awards its winner admission and a full ride to the prestigious Sunderland boarding school, and it’s the perfect opportunity. When a celebrity judge collapses while eating Laila's cupcake she goes from contestant to suspect. Can the girls find the real culprit and clear Laila’s name before it’s too late?
Elementary/Middle-Grade Fiction nominee, 2024

Dinner at the Brake Fast

Tacoma Jones loves working at her family’s roadside diner, the Brake Fast, pouring coffee and serving eggs and muffins to truckers all day long. But tonight, she is finally going to break out her collection of cookbooks and prepare the best dinner the state of Washington has ever seen. Tacoma knows she can’t fix her dad’s depression. But what she can do is steal back his prized photograph of his second-best day from her nemesis, the nasty Crocodile Kyle—while also planning a dinner that is sure to brighten up his bad day. She just might need an accomplice or two to pull off the heist.
Elementary/Middle-Grade Fiction nominee, 2024

Guava and Grudges

Ana Maria Ybarra dreams of becoming a world-famous pastry chef, but dreams have a cost. Her family can barely keep the family business running, let alone pay for culinary school. Ana Maria helps out at the family bakery, Café Y Mas, whenever she can, but they are struggling while the rival Cuban bakery across the street. Ana Maria's only hope is winning a recipe competition, which has a grand prize big enough to pay for culinary school. But then the ultimate distraction shows up in her small town: Miguel, a boy she spent one magical day with six months ago, and who she never thought she'd see again. Ana Maria thinks maybe fate has brought them together again for a reason.
Young Adult Fiction submission, 2024

The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky

When Brett’s journal and deepest insecurities are posted online for the whole school to see, Brett realizes he can no longer avoid the painful truths of his real-life narrative. As his eating disorder escalates, Brett must be honest with the people closest to him, including his new and fierce friend Mallory who seems to know more about Brett’s issues than he does. With their support, he just might find the courage to face the toughest reality of all.
Young Adult Fiction nominee, 2024

José Feeds the World: How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions …

The true story of José Andrés, an award-winning chef, food activist, and founder of World Central Kitchen, a disaster-relief organization that has fed more than 200 million people affected by natural disasters, the COVID pandemic, and war. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a passionate chef who uses the power of food to nurture people in need, one plate at a time.
Elementary Nonfiction submission, 2024

Kadooboo!: A Silly South Indian Folktale

Kadooboo! Golden brown, puffy, sweet, and crunchy, it’s fresh from the pan―a delicious treat! As soon as it’s ready, Kabir runs home with some to share. He’s got to be quick, before the rain! But wait … can he remember the treat’s name? (His Amma is sure to ask!)
Of course he can. That is, if fun and friends aren’t too distracting along the way.

Fiction Picture Book nominee, 2024

Laolao’s Dumplings

Millie loves to help LaoLao cook, especially her favorite dish. Dumplings! They gather fresh ingredients from Chinatown. Chives from Auntie Lim, shrimp from Uncle Lee, and juicy, fragrant lychees that make their days together so sweet. As the seasons change, LaoLao feels more and more tired, too tired to make dumplings. But can Millie make them without LaoLao? And will her dumplings come out delicious, and make LaoLao happy, too?
Fiction Picture Book submission, 2024

The Last Slice: A Three Kings Day Treat

Marta is finally old enough for her own slice of the special, sneaky dessert she loves so much—la Rosca de Reyes. The colorful crown of sweet bread is so tempting, but Marta knows the truth—there’s a baby hiding in the el Niño Dios. Marta can’t help but wonder what will happen if she accidentally eats the little figurine of baby Jesus.
Suddenly, Marta will do whatever it takes to avoid picking the last slice of la rosca—no matter how badly she wants a bite!
Fiction Picture Book nominee, 2024

Love Requires Chocolate

Whitney Curry is primed to have an epic semester abroad. She’s created the perfectitinerary and many, many to-do lists after collecting every detail possible about Paris, France. Thus, she anticipates a grand adventure filled with vintage boutiques, her idol Josephine Baker’s old stomping grounds, and endless plays sure to inspire the ones she writes and—ahem—directs!
Young Adult Fiction submission, 2024

 

Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings

Allie’s life with Mama isn’t bad, but she knows it could be better if Mama would find someone to marry. So Allie makes a plan—her super secret Man-For-Mama plan. Except nothing is going how she planned, but Allie is determined to get things back on track toward the life she knows she and Mama both deserve. . . even if Mama doesn’t agree yet.
Elementary/Middle-Grade Fiction submission, 2024

Message in the Mooncake

Set 800 years ago in the Yuan dynasty, Su-Ling and her family live in a village where the Mongols have invaded and made life very difficult for them. But the villagers are smart, and a plan to revolt against the Mongols begins to form with a message tucked into the Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes. It's up to brave Su-Ling to deliver the message to her uncle without getting caught by the Mongol guards.
Fiction Picture Book submission, 2024

 

Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita (Mi Hermosa Familia/My…

When Luna and Sol catch colds, their grandmother makes a healing soup. Luna overhears Nana singing a classic Spanish children’s song about frog tails while cooking the soup, so Luna secretly thinks that frogs are the magic ingredient. The children explore the enchanted garden in search of frogs until it is time to eat, in which Nana reveals the real secret ingredient. Can you guess what it is?Fiction Picture Book submission, 2024

Noodle & Bao

Momo has lived in Town 99 her entire life. She knows all its quirks and rhythms: the best places to buy fruit, practice tai-chi in the park, and, most of all, get the best meal: Noodle & Bao, run by Momo's best friend, Bao, and their amah, Noodle.
But Town 99 is changing. Rent is becoming unaffordable for Momo and her parents, and even Noodle & Bao has been edged out of its storefront, Momo knows if she doesn't do something, she'll lose everything she loves about her neighborhood. From undercover recon to a cook-off proposal, protest signs to petitions, Momo and Bao are on a mission to protect Town 99.
Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel nominee, 2024

Off Menu: A Graphic Novel

The last thing on Soup's to-do list is to make waves at the restaurant she works at, but when she discovers her boss's villainous grip over her beloved town, she decides it's time to dismantle his power--and what better way than a cooking competition? This graphic novel is an empowering story about taking risks, finding your voice, and being brave enough to stand up for friends.
Young Adult Graphic Novel nominee, 2024

Old Clothes for Dinner?!

Magaly enjoys the yummy Cuban food her Abuela has been cooking since arriving from Havana, but when Magaly’s sweater goes missing, she discovers that Abuela is making ropa vieja for dinner. Old clothes for dinner? Yuck! Magaly needs to hide the rest of her clothes before her family eats them up.
Fiction Picture book submission, 2024

On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories

Welcome to Passover, a Jewish holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years. The heart of Passover is the seder—a meal full of rituals, special foods, and songs—where we gather together to retell the story of the Exodus, when the Jewish people achieved freedom from Egypt. And yet this story is about more than the ancient past. The seder’s themes of freedom, joy, tradition, and more, are timeless and universal, for all.
Elementary/Middle Grade Fiction submission, 2024

Papa’s Butter Chicken: A celebration of family and community

Monica loves the Butter Chicken that her father makes. She spends the day helping him in the kitchen as he prepares the dish, stirring the sauce and adding the spices. While the chicken bakes, the two dance around the kitchen. When the chicken is done, they get ready to sit down and enjoy the meal together. But then the doorbell rings, and Grandma, Monica's uncles, and even the neighbors arrive to share in the feast! A warm and inspiring story of food, family, community, and sharing.
Fiction Picture Book submission, 2024

The Pie Reports

Noor and Granddad love pie. They have a pie for every occasion and spend a wonderful summer together trying each one. When vacation ends, Noor must say goodbye and fly home. Despite an ocean of distance between them, and Granddad's declining health, the pair continue to connect through their shared passion via video chats. These weekly pie reports let them chat about what's new and, of course, discuss and eat pie! Then one day, Granddad doesn't log in. He's experiencing more blue days and doesn't feel like talking. Noor decides to write down her pie reports, holding space for Granddad until he feels ready.
Fiction Picture Book submission, 2024

A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José André…

José Andrés’s love of cooking began as a young boy in Spain as he gathered the wood to make the fire that would cook the paella just right. José loved everything about the sizzling olive oil, the mounds of chopped vegetables, and the smell of saffron. When he left home, he realized he wanted to tell stories with food. And tell them he did, creating magic with the seeds of ripe tomatoes and pomegranates and cheese. His dreams grew until they were as big as the stars in the sky. He thought, No one should ever go hungry. I want to help feed the world -- and World Central Kitchen was born.
Elementary Nonfiction nominee, 2024

 

Peaches

Side by side with Daddy and Grandma, a young girl is determined to take part in her family’s tradition of baking the perfect peach cobbler—just like her mama used to. From picking fruit to stirring and mixing to kneading the dough, it’s a little bit messy. But with sure hands to guide her step-by-step—and her mother’s memory hanging sweet in the air—she has the recipe for making Mama proud.
Fiction Picture Book nominee, 2024

 

Rosh Hashanah: New Year, Gather Near

L'Shana Tova! Celebrate family, a bright future, and the sweetness of the new year with this cute board book exploring the traditions of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish High Holiday. Children can see a Jewish family come together and celebrate the holiday with sweet apples and honey, a noisy shofar, and more.
Board Book submission, 2024

 

The Spice Box

Rishi's grandma arrives from India today, and he longs to cook curry alongside his Dad using the delicious flavors from his family's spice box. But this spice box is more than just fragrant spices in shades of gold and ruby. This spice box holds memories that are passed down from one generation to the next, as each found their place in this wide world. When Rishi drops the box that holds the family's heart and history, he draws courage and meaning from their treasured past to set things right.
Ficion Picture Book submission, 2024

 

Tricky Chopsticks

In this story loosely inspired by Chen's childhood, a girl determined to hold her own in her family's annual chopsticks challenge creates a solution through STEAM trial and error to master those slippery, oh-so-tricky chopsticks.
Fiction Picture Book nominee, 2024

 

What Do We Eat?: How Humans Find, Grow and Share Food

People have always found ways to work together to put a meal on the table. What Do We Eat? is a delicious celebration of human creativity and cooperation, wrapped up in bite-sized slices of history, with a look at what scientists and inventors are cooking for the future.
Middle Grade Nonfiction nominee, 2024