The Traveling Taco – The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods
If you’ve ever wondered where your favorite foods come from – and how they got to your plate –The Traveling Taco is the perfect book to take you on a delicious global adventure!
This vibrant and educational picture book introduces readers to 12 popular foods, showing how time, geography, and culture have influenced what we eat today. From tacos to pizza, ice cream to jerk chicken, kids (and grown-ups!) will love learning about the twists, turns, and tasty transformations of these well-known dishes.
Disclosure: We received a complimentary copy of this book for review; however, all opinions are our own. This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through and making a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. All proceeds help support our free global education website. Thank you!
What Makes This Book a Treat?
Each two-page spread is packed with fun and fascinating information. A rhyming couplet kicks things off, offering a playful introduction to the food. Then readers can explore four clearly labeled sections:
- What is it? – A mouthwatering description that will leave you hungry for more.
- Where does it come from? – Learn about different origin stories from around the world.
- How did it change? – Discover how cultures have added their own ingredients and techniques.
- Did you know? – Fun food facts, like “Italians have created over 1,300 shapes of pasta!”
Stunning Illustrations Bring the Story to Life
The artwork is big, bold, and beautifully colorful – perfect for capturing young readers’ attention. You’ll see diverse characters, traditional clothing, world landmarks, and cooking methods from different cultures. Each food’s journey is shown with a small map, helping kids visualize how dishes traveled across continents and through history.
Great for Classrooms and Curious Kids
The Traveling Taco is not just a fun read – it’s a springboard for rich discussions and creative activities. Here are a few ideas for what to explore during or after reading:
Discussion Starters:
- Tacos – What would a taco look like in Australia or India? What spices or fillings would be used?
- Pasta – Can you name 10 different shapes of pasta? How about 20?
- Ceviche – Do you know any other foods made with raw fish?
- Cheesecake – A sweet math problem: If one cheesecake has 6 slices and you need to feed 12 runners, how many cheesecakes do you need?
- French Fries – How could Belgium or France prove they invented them?
- Jerk Chicken – Create a new name for this dish using its original indigenous ingredients.
Creative Extensions:
- Host a classroom luncheon or family dinner and investigate the origins of the foods on your plate.
- Share your own “food journey”—where did a dish your family eats originate?
- Create a brand-new page for the book using the same four-question format. Remember to include a rhyming intro and a map!
- Read more books about global foods to keep the adventure going.
The Traveling Taco is more than just a book about food – it’s a celebration of culture, history, and how we’re all connected through what we eat. Whether you’re a teacher looking to spark curiosity in your classroom, a parent raising a little foodie, or just someone who loves learning fun facts, this book is a wonderful read.
So grab your fork, open your mind, and get ready to travel the world—one bite at a time!
Mia Wenjen blogs on parenting, children’s books, and education at PragmaticMom.com and is the co-creator of Read Your World, a non-profit celebrating diversity in children’s books.
Check out our review of Mia’s book: Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World.
