k-4
Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books AWARD 2019.
NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Books for Young People AWARD 2020.
NCTE Notable Children's Trade Books in the Language Arts AWARD 2020.

Truly lovely story rooted in Haitian tradition and culture. A great choice for those studying Haiti or the Caribbean. An absolute celebration. ( )

Freedom Soup is about a literal soup but it is also symbolic. The soup symbolizes the character's freedom. It is a grandma and her granddaughter making soup that there ancestors had made to celebrate their freedom. The grandma tells the story of how they fought for their freedom and the illustrations show the memories while having the pot of soup and the aroma remain in the bottom of the picture, always there and ready to eat. The recipe for freedom soup is even given in the last page of the book. The images in this story are so passionate that even though this did not happen to me and I never knew much about Haiti's history I feel the passion and all the feelings that they are feeling in the story. The writing and the imagery and the visuals invoke feeling in the reader on every page and that's what makes this story so moving and meaningful. ( )

As if the pictures were not vibrant enough, Tami Charles doctors up her pages with descriptive, vivid language as the main characters doctor up their freedom soup. Her use of hyphenated words and adjectives made me feel like I was in the kitchen next to Ti Gran and Belle. Like I was immersed in their culture, celebrating Haitian independence. I love how their history was told in a story format passed down from Ti Gran to Belle to the readers. Food was shared, celebrations were shared, and most importantly their story of slavery to freedom was shared. Charles extends his invitation to this celebration as he gives us the recipe of freedom soup on the last page. ( )

What a delightful read....I'd give this 10 stars if I could! "Freedom Soup" shares inter-generational love, Haitian history and culture, and and the spirit of better things coming in the new year. My 12 year old granddaughter and I read this and felt absolutely jazzed with both the information and the lovely artwork. The story of Haitian slavery and the fight for freedom with a revolution. "Freedom Soup" is a celebration of people and of the freedom that many of us take for granted. Artwork is done in pencil, marker, and gouache, and assembled digitally. The recipe for Freedom Soup and an Author's Note are found in the back matter. A great way to introduce topics of: culture, freedom, Haiti, revolution, slavery, and many more. This is a book to have on your shelves, beautiful story and Candlewick Press has another winner! ( )