Cure or Poison? What Food Stories Can Do in Children\u27s Literature

People can be connected or divided by food because food is not just nutrition to consume but also part of one’s identity that is created by culture. This thesis demonstrates the example of toxic depictions of food/food culture in Children’s literature along with my real-life toxic food experiences as a foreigner who lives in the U.S. to demonstrate how food stories can bring a negative impact. On the other hand, it analyzes how stories centering on food can also make positive impacts through my two creative thesis works, a picture book, Hands That Wrap, and a chapter book, Tomo’s Cooking Surprise, along with several other mentor children’s books. The food stories bring hope that can transcend boundaries between people using the concept of “Connect, Love, Share and Accept”, which can play an important role in Children’s literature