Home in a Lunchbox

Winner of the Caldecott Honor

An Indie Next List Pick
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Bookshop Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
An Evanston Public Library Best Book of the Year
A CSMCL Best Book of the Year
An NCTE/CLA 2025 Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book
An ILA Notable Children’s Book for a Global Society
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Pennsylvania Center for the Book 2025 Baker’s Dozen Award Winner

“In an exceptional debut, Mo deploys digital illustrations that expertly use selective coloring to depict an experience of finding common ground.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This remarkable story about finding comfort in a new home by bringing along familiar traditions is a must-purchase for picture book collections and will resonate with any child who has struggled to fit in.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Wholly focused on her own character’s story, [Cherry Mo] takes a well-loved idea and renders it bright, shiny, and new with sheer talent alone. This book is a standout and a delicious one to boot. It ain’t preachy. It ain’t smarmy. It’s just plain good.” —Betsy Bird, Fuse 8

“A touching and resonant story with universal themes of wanting to belong and finding common ground.” —Booklist

“Round-faced, endearing Jun is utterly expressive; her sadness upon returning home each day is especially palpable…A touching immigrant story that hits the heart—and stomach.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This debut picture book captures the immigrant experience, highlighting the impact of small gestures of kindness and celebrating the unifying power of food across cultures and languages.” —Horn Book

“Lushly illustrated but with carefully sparse text, Home in a Lunchbox is a sensitive and warm debut. This book is a reminder for grown-ups of how differences can bring us together, and a story for children about making friends, bad days, and the warmth and comfort food from home can bring. This story reminds us all how anyone can feel lonely, but small gestures can travel for miles. A beautiful book.”—Erin E. Stead, illustrator of the Caldecott Medal–winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee

“This lushly illustrated book takes readers on a journey of memory and hope, highlighting the power of food to build connections across language, space, and time.”—Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Cherry Mo grew up in Hong Kong and moved to the United States at the age of ten. Her debut picture book Home in a Lunchbox is the winner of the Caldecott Honor and was inspired by her first days of school in America. Cherry writes and illustrates stories that she hopes bring young readers a sense of comfort and belonging.

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