Amara's Ethiopian Feast – A Social-Emotional Learning Story for Kids (Grades K–3)

What does it mean to feel at home somewhere new? And what happens when one child decides to answer that question — for her whole community?

Amara's Ethiopian Feast follows Amara, a girl who has just moved from Ethiopia to a new city where nobody knows each other. Instead of waiting for belonging to find her, Amara does something brave: she invites her neighbors to share a traditional Ethiopian feast — complete with injera, wat, and the ancient tradition of gursha, feeding someone else as an act of love.

What happens next is the kind of magic that only happens when people show up for each other.

This is part of the Creative Cuisine series — multicultural social-emotional learning stories for children ages 5–9 that use food, culture, and community as the doorway into big feelings and essential life skills.

What's Inside:

📖 A six-chapter illustrated story perfect for independent reading or read-aloud 🧠 Five embedded SEL Moment prompts covering all five CASEL competencies — self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making 🌍 Ethiopian cultural connection sidebar exploring injera, wat, teff, and the gursha tradition 💬 A Reflection Page with discussion questions and creative activities 👩‍🏫 Educator and family support materials included

This book is perfect for:

✅ Classroom read-alouds in kindergarten through 3rd grade ✅ Homeschool families building culturally diverse libraries ✅ SEL curriculum supplements focused on community and belonging ✅ Multicultural education and anti-bias early childhood programs ✅ School counselors working with children navigating transitions, grief, or new environments ✅ Family read-together time — especially for families who have experienced moving or change

SEL Skills Taught: Empathy · Community Building · Courage · Cultural Appreciation · Managing Fear · Responsible Decision-Making · Relationship Skills · Belonging

Why the Creative Cuisine Series?

Most SEL books for kids teach one skill in isolation. The Creative Cuisine series weaves multiple CASEL competencies into a single, engaging story — each one anchored in a real cultural tradition from around the world. Children don't just read about empathy. They watch a child live it, doubt herself, and discover what she's capable of.

Each book in the series stands alone, so you can start anywhere — but readers who collect them build a genuine multicultural library with real emotional depth.

📥 Instant digital download — printable PDF, ready to use the same day.

Home isn't just a place. Home is people caring for each other.