The 2022 Family Dinner Book Club’s theme for the year is books to help build social-emotional learning. This will be our 8th year of Family Dinner Book Club. That means we have shared over 80 free book clubs with you! We look forward to another amazing year.
Before we get to the books and topics for each month, let me share a little more about Family Dinner Book Club.
Each month, I share a book list around a particular topic and highlight one of those books for you to read with your children. I also include conversation starters for you. Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares an amazing themed menu around the featured book and Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity around the theme.
You read the book with your family and then pick a day to share a meal and discuss the book.
Sign up for our special Family Dinner Book Club email to get the links to each part of your dinner.—->Sign Up Here to Get Your Monthly Email
Now, onto the line-up for 2022.
Social Emotional Learning Books for Family Dinner Book Club
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January- Learning About Your Unique Self
Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a beautiful collection of poetry about finding your unique self.
FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB RESOURCES
February- Standing Up for Others/Being an Ally
Change Sings brings the beautiful words of Amanda Gorman into the laps of children. When we join together, anything is possible. Children will feel empowered to make small and big changes in their lives and the world after be uplifted with this anthem.
FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB RESOURCES
March- Recognizing Feelings and Emotions
Henry at Home by Megan Maynor is the story of a brother and sister who enjoy spending time together. In fact, they do everything together from haircuts to getting flu shots. But, things change when sister Liza starts school. There are lots of feelings that bubble up with this new situation. But, Henry and Liza will always be brother and sister.
FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB RESOURCES
Books About Feelings and Emotions
April- Dealing with Grief or Separation
I’ll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca is the story of a family separated by a great distance. But, love can span any distance. This hopeful story will warm your heart even when you are separated from the ones you love.
FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB RESOURCES
May- Showing Kindness and Sharing
Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood by Tony Hillery will inspire you to come together with your community to create something that benefits many.
FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB RESOURCES
BOOKS AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ABOUT KINDNESS
June- Making Healthy Choices and Wellness
Plant, Cook, Eat! A Children’s Cookbook by Joe Archer and Caroline Craig is a browseable nonfiction pick that includes lots of information about growing your own food which is a great follow-up to last month’s book pick. Plus, it includes lots of yummy recipes.
FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB RESOURCES
July- Pursuing Your Dreams & Overcoming Challenges
Niki Nakayama: A Chef’s Tale in 13 Bites by Jamie Michalak introduces us to a chef who had to overcome many obstacles to achieving her dream. Nakayama had to prove that a woman can be a master chef in a male-dominated field. In 2019, her restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars for excellent food. The book will take you from Koreatown, Los Angeles, California to Tokyo, Japan, and make it to California again. The book includes a recipe for Wonton Pizzas, a dish Niki made when she was a child.
August- Togetherness/Connecting With Others
Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi takes us into the kitchen and beyond as a mother and daughter cook together. But, the connection goes beyond the two cooks to other generations and the world. This book includes two recipes for tomato chutney and tomato sauce. Back matter also includes tomato and farmworker facts.
September- Friendship
The Elephants Come Home: A True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship by Kim Tomsic is a touching story based on a true story about the connection between animals and humans.
October- Taking Time to Wonder and Notice (mindfulness)
What’s In Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures by Heather L. Montgomery invites us to meet a variety of amazing scientists whose wondering and noticing helped them to go and achieve great things. Meet George Washington, Jane Goodall, and more.
November – Learning to Take a Different Perspective & Developing Empathy
In Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill, we meet Molly who is visiting a food pantry with her mom for needed food. Molly is grateful to be there, but then she sees a friend from school who looks embarassed to be there. Will the girls realize that it’s ok to need to help?
December- Celebrating Diverse Holidays and Celebrations
Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind is the story of two families coming together to support each other even when others aren’t so accepting of differences. This book is based on a true story.
More Family Dinner Book Club Details
Shop All the Family Dinner Book Club Selections
You can shop each of the books by clicking on the book cover images above. The links will take you to Amazon to shop. Or, you can shop the collection in Bookshop to support independent bookstores.—>Shop the Collection in Bookshop
School and Library Connections
If you are an educator, you can even let your families know about Family Dinner Book Club. In fact, many schools and libraries host Family Dinner Book Club events.
I created a letter that you can send home with families introducing the Family Dinner Book Club and inviting families to join in 2022. Click HERE to download, print, and pass out the letter to families.
Do you need a holiday gift for a family? Grab a few or all of the books on this list, and you have the perfect holiday gift!
Print the 2022 Family Dinner Book Club List
Let’s have a Family Dinner Book Club. Don’t forget to print out the book list HERE.
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