Tea Cakes for Tosh
What’s inside...
Tosh loves his grandma Honey and her delicious golden tea cakes. When she tells the story of how the cookies became part of their family, he feels like he's flying back in time. But then one day, Honey starts forgetting things, even an ingredient for the tea cakes. Inspired by his love for his grandma and respect for his family's heritage, Tosh finds a way to give Honey and himself a special gift that keeps the memory alive. A young boy helps his beloved grandmother remember an important family story. Tosh loves listening to Grandma Honey tell family stories, including the special tea cakes that smell like vanilla and sunshine. They were great-great-great-great-grandma Ida's specialty when she was a cook in the big house of a plantation. Despite the challenges, Grandma Ida always found a way to share the sugary sweetness with the slave children, promising them a taste of freedom to come. As Grandma Honey begins to forget, Tosh takes care to remember every word and returns the gift of tea cakes and stories to her, creating a touching family tale.
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Tosh
Grandma Honey
Discussion points
What did Tosh learn about his family’s history through the tea cake recipe?
How do you think Tosh felt when he helped his grandma in the kitchen?
Why is it important to remember and share family traditions?
How did the tea cakes help Tosh connect with his heritage?
What family traditions do you enjoy or would like to start?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to share their own family memories or traditions while discussing Tosh's story. Use the tea cakes as a metaphor to explore the significance of family heritage. You can also bake tea cakes together as a fun activity to deepen their connection to the story. Praise their thoughts and insights to foster a positive and open dialogue.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of family traditions
Explanation: The story revolves around Tosh and his grandmother Honey as they bake tea cakes using a recipe passed down through generations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and preserve family rituals and stories that connect them to their ancestors.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Tosh helps his grandmother recall the tea cake recipe when her memory starts failing, showing persistence and cleverness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of patience and resilience when faced with challenging situations, especially in helping loved ones.
Example Lesson: Learning from elders
Explanation: Through the tea cakes recipe, Tosh learns not only about baking but also about his family’s history and the significance of passing down knowledge through generations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to spend time with and learn from older family members, gaining knowledge that isn’t found in books.
Example Lesson: Cultural heritage and pride
Explanation: The book ties the recipe of tea cakes back to Tosh's ancestors who were slaves, emphasizing the importance of cultural history and resilience.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and take pride in their heritage, fostering a sense of identity and self-respect.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Tosh shows deep empathy in helping his grandmother when she struggles with her memory.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of caring for others, particularly the elderly, and the emotional rewards of compassion and empathy.