Mascarenhas, Derek. 100 Chapatis. Illustrated by Shantala Robinson. Owlkids Books, 2023. 978-1-771-47563-1. Unpaged. $18.95. Grades K-3.

Breaking the tension of waiting for a new baby, Simon and his grandfather, cook up a plan: making 100 chapatis–just like Pappa did when he waiting for Simon to be born. Large font and lots of white space are a perfect background for the simple and clear cut illustrations accompanying the text. Simon’s parents are preparing for the new baby, which sometimes means taking over some of Simon’s things. Pappa takes Simon through the steps of making the chapatis. Simon thinks of how he likes to eat chapatis different ways, and worries that his chapati doesn’t look round enough. Pappa tells Simon they look like the map of India. The pair spend the afternoon together piling up chapatis, a welcome distraction as they wait for the new addition to the family. Students can share favorite foods, figure out sequence of events, or swap birth stories. Or extend the lesson with a multicultural flair by introducing tacos, flatbread, empanadas, and, or course, chapatis.

THOUGHTS: This simple story with its large illustrations will make a good read aloud.

Picture Book