By Robert P. Dixon, Jr.
Representation matters, even at an early age. I remember growing up as a child of the 1950s in Minneapolis, attending elementary school, going to the public library—and seeing only books like Further Adventures of Dick and Jane. Where were the families who looked like mine? Fortunately, that situation is changing, with authors like Crown Shepherd and the author of this week’s book review, Robert P. Dixon, Jr.
Indeed, when we change the narrative, we change the perception, and his children’s book Gumbo Joy adds another voice in changing the narrative. In the book, we see Rose and her Papa preparing gumbo together. As they are doing so, he is sharing not only his recipe, but the cultural significance behind it, followed by the joyful coming together of their extended family.
A native of Louisiana, Dixon states in his bio that he “learned these key aspects of cooking gumbo by going to all his neighborhood friend’s homes in one day. He would eat at every person’s home he stopped at.” He did this after school and on weekends.
In Gumbo Joy, we are reminded of the importance of a consistent, active, loving presence of a father in his daughter’s life, thus contradicting the stereotype of Black men being absent fathers. Having Papa doing the cooking also challenges gender-role stereotypes, thus he is a well-rounded role model for Rose–in my household, because my husband likes to cook, our son has developed a flair for it as well. And of course, this book is a cultural celebration of the roots of gumbo.
Often times, the greatest lessons our children learn take place when we are sharing a task or an activity. In this case, the greatest lesson Rose learns is, “Gumbo is the smell of love.” Dixon fills his book with it, through his words and the illustrations of Amakai Quaye.
Gumbo Joy is available via Amazon and the Planting People Growing Justice Press. Dads, this is a must-read to share with your children. Robert, thank you for this gift of love and changing the narrative.
