A Fine Dessert Family Dinner Book Club

Family Dinner Book Club this month is featuring blackberries as we read A Fine Dessert by Emily Jenkins.  Before we jump into all details, I do want to address that this book has caused some controversy.  The book has received lots of wonderful reviews, but there are some who feel that the book whitewashes slavery.  Read more about the issue in this piece from NPR.  There are so many layers of this picture book that make it an ideal selection for a book club book.  I think that this issue with the book could serve as a rich discussion piece for families if they choose and therefore decided that it would be a book we would feature for Family Dinner Book Club.  If you feel you do not want to share the book with your family, you can substitute a book from our Family Dinner Book Club archives.  Now, onto the plans.

We have lots of ideas to plan your menu, make table decoration crafts, have great conversations about the book and complete a family service project. We have thought of everything you need!  So, get a copy of the book and join in on the fun.

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New to Family Dinner Book Club? Here is a little background… Family Dinner Book Club is a monthly book club for your family.  On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.  Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the book. Laura from Sunny Day Family shares easy table crafts.  And, I will share conversation starters and a service project for your family.

We invite you to share a picture from your dinner with us anytime during the month on our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.  Plus, you will want to follow along there for more bonus ideas to use with the books each month.

Now, on to all of the details!

A Fine Dessert

The Book

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0375868321″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Fine Dessert[/easyazon_link] is the story of how the blackberry fool dish has been made from one generation to another.  It’s a peek at history and traditions of four different families.

Topics

Here are six conversation starters to get your dinner book club rolling.  Just click on this link (A Fine Dessert) for a one-page file that you can print and then cut apart.  Use the cards on your chosen dinner night.  You, of course, don’t have to use all of them or you may even have some other discussion points that developed while you were reading.  These are just meant to be a guide.  Enjoy your dinner conversation!

• How are the tools that were used to make blackberry fool different from one family to another?
• If you could go back in time, which family would you have liked to visit from the story?  Why?
• What tools from our kitchen would we use to make blackberry fool?
• What do you think the author wanted us to learn from this book?
• What recipes have been passed down in your family?
• (Optional) Do you think that the slaves would have been truly happy preparing meals for families? Why?

Family Service Project

Plan an extended family dinner.  Serve foods that have been family favorites.  At the dinner table, encourage everyone to share their favorite memories of meals they have shared as a family.

If extended family isn’t available, have a potluck with other families.  Invite each family to bring a family favorite dish to the dinner.

Table Decorations and Menu

Now, head over to Chef Sarah Elizabeth to get the menu.  Then, check out the table crafts at Sunny Day Family.

We hope you are inspired to create a fun and meaningful Family Dinner Book Club with your own family. Remember that we want to see pictures of your dinner.  Please share them our special Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.

You can see all the books being featured for Family Dinner Book Club in 2016.

And, join us again in June for another Family Dinner Book Club when we will feature [easyazon_link identifier=”1442423366″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Firefly Hollow[/easyazon_link].