Tomatoes in My Lunchbox by Manoli, Costantia

A moving picture book from a debut author about the first day of school, layered with themes about the immigrant experience and the universal experience of feeling out of place.

A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first day of school. Her name doesn't sound the way she's used to hearing it. She knows she doesn't fit in. And when she eats her whole tomato for lunch, she can feel her classmates observing her--and not quite understanding her.

But sometimes all it takes is one friend, one connection, to bring two worlds together, and gradually the girl, her tomato, and her full name, start to feel at home with her new friends and community.

This emotionally sweeping debut picture book by Costantia Manoli, with vibrant art by Magdalena Mora, artfully captures feelings of displacement and the joy that comes from forging new friendships.

Author: Costantia Manoli
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 06/21/2022
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 10.40h x 8.50w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781250763129
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.1
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 519484 / Tomatoes in My Lunchbox


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2022
Booklist 05/01/2022 pg. 51
Horn Book Magazine 07/01/2022 pg. 93
School Library Journal 08/01/2022 pg. 71
Publishers Weekly 10/31/2022
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2022 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author

Costantia Manoli was born in the United Kingdom to Cypriot parents and spent the picture book period of her life in London contending with a name that even she has difficulty pronouncing in English! After spending her middle grade and young adult years in Cyprus, the USA and the UK (and then back round again), she now lives amid almond and olive trees on the outskirts of a hot, dusty village in Cyprus. Her two daughters, hubby, lioness-dog Luna and hyperactive doggo Woody keep her busy in a tangle of story ideas, new characters and constant interruptions.

Magdalena Mora is a Minneapolis-based illustrator and graphic designer with a special interest in children's books and visual storytelling. She has also illustrated Deborah Diesen's Equality's Call. When not drawing, she spends her free time reading, people-gawking, and trying to find the best tacos in the Twin Cities. Mostly the latter.