06/02/2026
(PreS-Gr 3) The kitchen table is the heart of many homes, and Washington’s poignant story reminds readers of the importance of this piece of furniture: it is not just a place where people eat but also a site of conversation, laughter, learning, and even tears.
Acclaimed illustrator, Washington, makes her authorial debut with this book inspired by her childhood kitchen table and how it brought together her family, friends, and neighbors. The striking paper-cut illustrations are bright, warm, and engaging, inviting readers to discuss how the kitchen table is important in their own homes.
This book can be used to spark a conversation about cultural and family traditions.
Characters have varying shades of brown and Black skin with diverse hair textures. The back matter includes photos of the author as a child at her own kitchen table.
VERDICT: A beautiful, relatable, and must-have picture book that honors the kitchen table as a uniting force.
Reviewed by Jazmyne Baylor, May 15, 2026.
The Heart of Our Home by Janelle Washington (text) & illus. by Janelle Washington
Roaring Brook. Mar. 2026. 32p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781250357366. PreS-Gr 3
