EBOOK

Grandma, Cho Cho and Me

Morgan Christie
(0)
Year
2026
Language
English

About

Some families gather for big dinners, but in my house we feast at breakfast! As Grandma and I cook our favorite Jamaican dishes, I learn why that is.

The girl in this story and her grandmother are making breakfast for the whole family! Jamaican favourites like ackee and saltfish, fried dumplings and delicious cho cho are on the menu today. As they chop and stir, and the food simmers and sizzles, the girl has one big question for Grandma – why does their family eat such BIG breakfasts?

Through the process of cooking traditional foods, and through Grandma's stories of life in Jamaica before their family emigrated to Canada, the girl learns more about the historical, economic and social reasons for their big breakfasts - and she explores her culture as someone not born in Jamaica, but still connected to the island.

Tasting Cho Cho is inspired by the author's childhood experiences born to Jamaican migrant parents, and beautifully illustrated by Paulica Santos. Memories of tropical landscapes, garden-fresh greens, and mouthwatering meals overflow in Paulica Santos's lush, mixed-media illustrations.






Key Text Features

illustrations






Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1

With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3

With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4

Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6

With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Some families gather for big dinners, but in my house we feast at breakfast! As Grandma and I cook our favorite Jamaican dishes, I learn why that is.
• FOOD AS CULTURE: In Tasting Cho Cho, preparing a meal helps to provide cultural connection for the child of Jamaican immigrant parents. Food is an important tool for children when learning about their own cultures and the cultures of others, fostering a sense of identity and global community.

• A DEEPER DIVE: Tasting Cho Cho isn't just about a delicious breakfast! It also explores the historical context of traditional food and meal times in Jamaica, and how factors like culture and economic status can impact the food one eats, when they eat it and how often. Thinking about the why and how behind something essential like food helps to foster deeper learning skills in young readers.

• PERFECT FOR STORYTIME: Simple, concise text paired with Paulica Santos's bright and exuberant illustrations make Tasting Cho Cho shine as a read-aloud book. This sweet story about inherited customs is also sure to spark discussion among children about their own mealtime traditions both at home and in classroom settings.

illustrations

Related Subjects

Artists