February 15, 2025
In Senator Warnock's latest picture book, a magical lunchbox helps a young Black child learn lessons about sharing. For the fourth time this week, Leo's mother has packed him a baloney sandwich for lunch. "For now, it's all we can afford," she tells him. The ridicule he faces at school because of it--especially from big-mouthed bullies like Pete--leaves an even worse taste in his mouth. Full-color, digital brushstrokes illustrate a racially diverse school that unfortunately suffers from widespread food insecurity. Leo's family is struggling, but so is his classmate Andy, who brings just bread and butter for his lunch. Leo's literal prayers are soon answered by his mother's new job and by the glowing secondhand lunchbox she gives him. At school the next day, the lunchbox gives way to a reimagined biblical parable. Just as Jesus multiplied loaves of bread and fish, Leo's admirable instincts to share every slice of pizza, orange, and drop of juice that appears from his lunchbox are rewarded as the food mysteriously replicates. All the kids (including Andy and Pete) are fed by not just the supernatural feat, but also by Leo's kindness. While many will appreciate the biblical allusion, this earnest exploration of child hunger feels ill-conceived. Many readers will be put off by the resolution, which seems to suggest that positive thoughts and children's willingness to share are enough to solve a systemic issue like this one. Andy and Pete present white. A well-meaning but anodyne look at food insecurity. (note to readers)(Picture book. 4-8)
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