Nonfiction: Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, written by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Roaring Brook Press, Oct 2019. 48 pages, $18.99, 9781626727465.

  Fry Bread follows a Native American family as they make bread and celebrate their culture. The focus is narrow enough for early elementary. The story reads like a beginning picture book and follows a predictable pattern by repeating the“fry bread is…” phrase. This phrase is written in red to signify it is the main idea of the page. The smaller, black text expands on the idea. Although the writing is simple, rhythmic, and easy to understand, the meaning behind the narrative is complex. The story narrative begins with the simple act of sharing food and gradually moves to explain the history shared among native tribes. Fry bread is an indigenous staple connected to family legacies, art, and a history of colonialism and displacement.

    Kevin Noble Maillard is qualified to write about fry bread in Native American society. He is a member of the Seminole Nation, Mekusukey band in Oklahoma. Maillard is the designated fry bread lady and inherited a special recipe from his Aunt Maggie. This recipe and an image of his aunt are found among the reference aids. As seen through his extensive author's notes, he showcases thoughtful research. The author’s note provides the historical and cultural context for the narrative and illustrations on each page. His bibliography contains three references and fifteen notes. Through his research, readers will learn how he relates fry bread to food, native art, basket weaving, and history.

    Martinez-Neal's illustrations radiate diversity and recognize the scope of indigenous identity. In the illustrations, the grandmother is followed by children with different skin tones, hair colors, and hair texture. Many of the children do not have brown skin or black hair. Because tribes intermingled with people of European, African, and Asian descent, some children have pale skin with blond hair, darker skin with dreadlocks, brown skin with red hair, and more. The illustrator also shows diversity by recording the names of federally and non-federally recognized Native Nations throughout the book.
She celebrates Indigenous culture by showcasing Seminole symbols on tattoos and ceramic pots. The handmade dolls and coiled baskets also reference the craft inherited from Seminole nations and tribes. Martinez-Neal also acknowledges Indigenous history. In “Fry Bread is History,” the cool color scheme, shadowy figures and birds, and melancholy facial expressions among the characters reflect the mood and reference the devastating Trail of Tears. Family is also another theme in her illustrations and the story. On the cover, a grandmother and toddler share fry bread, representing the inheritance passed between the generations. There are also images of Aunt Maggie, who taught the author how to make the fry bread.

    Fry Bread is a great teaching tool. Before using the book as a read-aloud, I suggest reading the back matter first. This way, teachers can explain the context and illustrations as they read each page. I believe this would give students a better understanding of the significance of fry bread.