We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past by Jacqueline Woodson

Multicultural Realistic Fiction

This awesome Coretta Scott Honor winner is an excellent book for primary aged children that describes the relationships between an African-American family at an annual picnic.  The rounded illustrations are vibrant and bring the story to life through the eyes of Teeka and her grandmother.  I love this book because of the dynamics presented throughout the characters in the story, especially the grandmother.  She reminds me of my grandmother and how she always use to dote on me, just like Teeka's grandmother does with her.  The grandmother is also funny how she talks about each family member upon arrival at the picnic.  I think this book aligns with the Core Value of Respect from St. Leo University because of the diversity among the family dynamics, and the unity that is presented amidst the differences in individuality.  For example, everybody talks about how bad Martha's cooking is, but they still eat her apple pie every year at the picnic because they are family and families support each other through the good and bad.  They respect Martha as a person and family member so they eat her pie!

 



In the class...

 

1.  Have children create a place mat that represents the different food groups and correct portion sizes, as part of a balanced, healthy diet.

 

2.  Create a classroom cookbook that consists of student's favorite recipes to share with the class and their families.

 

Response Questions:

 

1.  Who is Teeka's favorite relative in the story?

 

2.  Why do the character's eat Martha's pie, even though they think it does not taste good?

 

About the author...

Jacqueline Woodson has a son and daughter and was born in Ohio (like me!) and grew up in South Carolina.  She has written many children and young adult books. 

 

Check out these other books by Jacqueline Woodson:  Pecan Pie Baby (written for her daughter, while she was pregnant with her son), and Sweet, Sweet Memory (a book written in memory of her grandfather).

 

References:

 

Woodson, Jacqueline. (1997). We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past.  New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.

 

www.jacquelinewoodson.com