Lunch from Home/Comida de casa (Bilingual English-Spanish Edition)

Illustrated by Jing Li
Translated by Ariela Rudy Zaltzman
¿Qué pasa cuando la comida favorita que un niño o una niña trae a la escuela recibe comentarios denigrantes a la hora del almuerzo? Descúbrelo en esta edición bilingüe.

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

En un salón lleno de sándwiches, cuatro estudiantes se destacan con sus comidas caseras que reflejan las culturas de las que forman parte. Antes de que puedan disfrutar de sus comidas favoritas, estas se arruinan al enfrentar narices arrugadas y reacciones de asco por parte de los compañeros y las compañeras que solo comen sándwiches.

A través de este libro ilustrado que promueve la empatía e inspira a que todos los lectores defiendan su comida, acompaña a cada uno de los cuatro estudiantes mientras aprenden a lidiar con sus primeros “momentos de lonchera”. Tomando inspiración de los “momentos de lonchera” de cuatro aclamados chefs, Ray García, Preeti Mistry, Mina Park y Russ Federman, este relato conmovedor nos recuerda que la comida es un reflejo de la identidad de quien la come y una celebración auténtica de la cultura.


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
". . . a warm tribute to food, identity, and the beauty of diversity. . ." —School Library Journal

About

¿Qué pasa cuando la comida favorita que un niño o una niña trae a la escuela recibe comentarios denigrantes a la hora del almuerzo? Descúbrelo en esta edición bilingüe.

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

En un salón lleno de sándwiches, cuatro estudiantes se destacan con sus comidas caseras que reflejan las culturas de las que forman parte. Antes de que puedan disfrutar de sus comidas favoritas, estas se arruinan al enfrentar narices arrugadas y reacciones de asco por parte de los compañeros y las compañeras que solo comen sándwiches.

A través de este libro ilustrado que promueve la empatía e inspira a que todos los lectores defiendan su comida, acompaña a cada uno de los cuatro estudiantes mientras aprenden a lidiar con sus primeros “momentos de lonchera”. Tomando inspiración de los “momentos de lonchera” de cuatro aclamados chefs, Ray García, Preeti Mistry, Mina Park y Russ Federman, este relato conmovedor nos recuerda que la comida es un reflejo de la identidad de quien la come y una celebración auténtica de la cultura.


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.

Author

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

Praise

". . . a warm tribute to food, identity, and the beauty of diversity. . ." —School Library Journal

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and addressing student wellness and mental health is critical to help children learn how to manage emotions, develop healthy identities, empathize with peers, and pursue individual goals. We created thematic guides and book lists to help foster important conversations to build an inclusive environment where emotions matter. Explore our social emotional

Read more

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Elementary School titles  

Read more