Bread Days, an illustrated book on loss is grief over good memories

The habits and seasonal routines shape our memories and lives. Bread Days is an illustrated book by Hannah Chung. For me, one of the strongest smells and memories of my childhood revolves around Christmas. I’m sure that Chex Mix is as tasty any time of the year, but I always place it during the final two weeks of the year. It’s Christmastime baking, and the smell of those ingredients is flooding the house. That is my version of Bread Days.

Take your time when you read Bread Days. Just because you’re looking at an illustrated book does not necessarily mean that it’s a simple story. This is a charming story about loss whose power isn’t immediately obvious. And, just because it’s a story about loss does not necessarily mean that it’s a sad story that’s not pleasant to read. I might’ve said too much already, let’s just kick back and wander through the book for a moment.

Papi and Nara are in the kitchen. It’s Nara’s favorite day of the year because they’re able to spend time together. They get the flour, water, mix it with bubbles, round the dough, score the top of it to give it some personality, and put it in the oven. The dough mixture is created with such care and love that it’s even given a name, Paolo. Once the bread is fully baked the family sits around the table, eats the delicious crust and looks forward to the next one.

The next bread day rolls around and Mama has to tell Nara that it can’t happen. Nara is very disappointed and puts Paolo back in the refrigerator. She waits, comes to the realization that Papi is not coming back, notices the subtle changes in the kitchen and gets down to work. Paolo is not looking like a starter should look. The two girls pay Paolo some attention and get its bubbles rising again to where its able to be kneaded and shaped.

When Paolo comes back, so do the memories of her Papi. With newfound energy, Nara and Mami join forces in the kitchen to make bread. The finished product isn’t the same as it once was, it’s got a different shape, but the sourdough brings back memories and allows the two to make new ones.

The book feels autobiographical when you’re reading it. The Author’s Notes at the end of the book confirm what you’re thinking. There’s a deliberate sense of love, care and experience that lives in Bread Days that other books are lacking. In the notes it’s revealed that Chung’s father used to cook bread and organize the kitchen in the same manner as Papi. She shows a photograph of him cooking and his bread, as well as, her cooking with the way her bread turned out. The end results are similar, but different.

Ah, it’s an allegory about loss. I incorrectly thought the first time I read Bread Days. I read it in a hurry and missed the finer points of the book. Bread Days is about loss, but it’s also about remembering the good times, coping with loss and moving on. It’s tough to move on. It’s tough to have a major loss, at any age. Some teacher friends of mine have read brilliant essays from their students about a parent that was lost due to accident or sickness. It’s addressing the elephant in the room, calling it by name and speaking to it in a manner that’s reminiscent of the Day of the Dead. It is sad, but it’s also part of life and one needs to think about how the one who is not here would want you to feel.

Bread Days allows kids to concentrate more on the memories of those who aren’t here. The loss is there, as are various coping measures, and the grief and recovery. The art is soft, dreamy and creates a timeless sense of family. The message is deftly handled and is more of a story, than a lesson. It’s an illustrated book that fits nicely on your shelf for when the carpet crowd needs to sit down and be introspective for seven to ten minutes.

Bread Days is by Hannah Chung and is available on Astra Young Readers, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers.

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