Raiya and the Taste of Home

Raiya loves Daddy's chicken adobo. But when a classmate asks about her lunch, she suddenly finds it hard to say its name.With Family Table Day coming up, Raiya wonders if sandwiches might be easier to explain. Why does her family eat different foods? And what does it mean to be Filipino American?The answers begin at home.Through cooking with Daddy, conversations with Mommy, and stories from her great-grandmother, Lola, Raiya discovers the family memories behind her favorite meals. She rolls lumpia, shares pancit, and learns words that bring her closer to her roots. When it's time to return to school, can she find the courage to share her family's story?Raiya and the Taste of Home: A Filipino American Story is a warmly illustrated picture book about cultural pride, belonging, and the traditions passed from one generation to the next. It welcomes children into one Filipino American family's everyday life while encouraging curiosity and respect for the many ways other families live.Inside, readers will discover: - Familiar Filipino favorites, including chicken adobo, lumpia, and pancit.- Cebuano/Bisaya words with English meanings.- Loving connections between a child, her parents, and her great-grandmother.- A food guide, a note for families, and questions to spark conversations together.For Filipino families sharing their heritage and readers of every background discovering something new, Raiya's story carries a reassuring message: You don't have to know every word or every tradition to belong. Your family's story is already part of you.