Fine print: We are an independent review organization; we do not use generative AI for any textual content, nor do we accept compensation for book reviews. We are participants in the Westminster Books, Christian Book, Bookshop, and Amazon LLC affiliate programs; purchases you make through these affiliate links may earn us a commission. Read more here.
How do you celebrate New Year’s? Haitians celebrate by making freedom soup!
Freedom Soup by Tami Charles, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara. Candlewick, 2021. 32 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Ages 4-8
A young girl, Belle, is making soup with her grandmother. It’s New Year’s Day, cold and snowy outside. The kitchen is warm and full of life: “Haitian kompa pours through the speakers. The shake-shake of maracas … Ti Gran’s feet tap-tap to the rhythm.” Illustrations capture the movement well as Belle and Ti Gran chop, dice, season, peel, and mash.
Why soup on New Year’s Day? And why is it called Freedom Soup?
Ti Gran recounts the story: Haitians were enslaved by the Europeans for centuries. Only the free ate Freedom Soup; the enslaved help provide the soup by growing the ingredients and then making it. But one day, revolution happens. And that year, on New Year’s Day, the Haitians got to eat Freedom Soup. And this year, Belle and Ti Gran are eating Freedom Soup with a host of family and friends, enjoying one another’s company as they ring in the New Year together, free.
Freedom Soup is a lively entry point into Haitian history and culture. Back matter includes more information on the historical events alluded to, and it also contains a recipe for Freedom Soup (that looks delicious!). We have many books about American slavery, but other countries share some of that history. Books like Freedom Soup help tell a hard part of history alongside a big helping of hope and healing.
Bottom Line: Freedom Soup is a lively addition to a world cultures study or simply to supplement your reading.
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Review: José Feeds the World is a fun picture book biography about a man who shared food with Haiti.
- Review: Older readers might be interested in The Jumbies: Haitian folklore comes to life in this spooky story about jumbies, a brave girl and her friends, and oranges.
- Review: Luli and the Language of Tea is a delightful picture book about tea around the world while you’re learning about food and other countries!
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
We'd love to hear from you!
Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!
Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.