August loves his life in Jamaica and the delicious patties his father sells. But when the patty business dries up, his family moves to Toronto where his dad works at a factory and is too tired to make patties. August gets so desperate for the taste of home he decides to try making them for himself with disastrous results. Will he ever taste a lovely patty again?

Anyone who has moved great distances probably can relate to this August’s craving for a beloved food he can’t find as readily in his new home. The loss is extra poignant as it is something the whole family loved and then lost because a business failed. The ending of the story is heartwarming and may have readers scrambling to see if they can find their own patty to try from a Jamaican restaurant nearby. The author’s note about her personal connection to patties and the Patty Wars that happened in Toronto in the 80s which resulted in a national Jamaican Patty Day was fascinating. Make sure you take the time to read it along with the story.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A colorfully illustrated story about a Jamaican family & the most popular Jamaican snack.....the 'Jamaican patty'. Kids, & adults sharing this story with their kids, can probably find something to relate to in the reading of this.....& might learn something too! I'd never heard of a Jamaican patty before....& now know of it......so the book might actually deserve a 4th star in rating to reward the learning opportunity! Yeah! It's a good little read!
I received an e-ARC of the book from publisher Owlkids Books via NetGalley, affording me an opportunity to read it & post my own fair/honest review.

"Patty Dreams," is an extraordinary immigrant story that celebrates culture, resilience, and the power of family. It begins with August's joyful life in Jamaica, where his family is known for their flaky, delicious, and highly praised patties. However, their world changes when they emigrate to overseas, and August finds himself longing for the warmth and familiarity of home.

The story beautifully portrays how August and his family bring their vibrant Jamaican culture to their new home, blending tradition with a fresh start. With its heartwarming narrative, stunning illustrations, and rich cultural detail, this tale is a tribute to the immigrant experience—a journey that nourishes both the heart and the soul.

I was able to find the author via my daughters' teacher when I ask for book recommendations.
Very Happy I got to read this book early.

Is a story about food, family, traditions and Change. It helps readers understand how food can bring everyone together. We also learn how we can adapt to change, when we work together. We really enjoyed the illustrations, looking forward to adding it to our library.
Thank you Owlkids (Owlkids Books) for the ARC through Netgalley.
#PattyDreams #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and OwlKids Books for my gifted copy of Patty Dreams by Nadia L. Hohn.

I love a book with food and family for young readers, because it helps connect cultures and make readers feel included. A heartfelt story with great illustrations that go along with the story. I will definitely be using this one in my classroom.

This book was given to me through Netgalley for my honest review. I want to thank Netgalley, the Author, and the Publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

I love how this story shows you how food can bring together anyone. Food is the heart and soul of this book. It shows you that no matter where you are that food can bring you together. Jamaican Patties are what this little boy loves to eat. He loves waking up to the smell of them every morning. That is until they have to move one day. They move to a place where dad can no longer take time to make his beloved Jamaican Patties. One night the little boy decides to make them one night but the father catches him just as he cuts a really hot pepper. Dad washes his hands and sends him off to bed. The next morning the little boy wakes up to his favorite thing. It's a beautiful story and it also again shows how food can bring people together.

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
A delightful and heartwarming story about a family who sold Jamaican Patties from a home bakery while living in Jamaica. So many friends leave the country and the dad feels like it is changing. They, too, head for a different country and wind up in a much colder climate. His dad has to work at a factory and no one makes Patties any more. Finally, August convinces his dad to make some again. They become a huge success and a second source of income selling at the Farmers Market.
The family love shines through both the text and illustrations. Readers will connect with that and many will understand missing "home" and traditions. They will also find hope in bringing part of the familiar along. A terrific read aloud.

Awesome book! Major kudos to the author for creating such a heartwarming story about how food can bring people together and lift them up. It always makes me happy to see a book that has this theme, and Hohn executed it flawlessly. There was a clear plot and a clear idea, which made this book flow really well. Additionally, I thought that the occasional and not constant rhyming phrases scattered throughout the book worked well in this case! Usually it throws readers off, but I found that Hohn weaved both rhyming and non-rhyming phrases together to create one perfectly cohesive book. Lastly, touching on the illustrations, the illustrator accurately captured the magic that surrounds the comfort of good food and community, giving this book an overwhelming tone of joy and hope (in a good way).
Bravo!

This was absolutely adorable!!! What a great message about sharing a piece of your culture with new friends to make a new place feel like home. I loved the story at the end with a little history on patties in Toronto which I didn’t know!

Thank you so much to Nadia and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC🖤 I’m writing this review voluntarily!

It's hard to make big changes, like August did when he moved with his family from Jamaica to Canada. The family left a lot behind, but brought their culture with them. One important thing they brought was their patties, a unique, delicious dish that everyone could enjoy.
This isn't just a sweet story of how we make friends when we share these parts of ourselves -- there is also an explanation at the end of how Jamaicans fought to call their delicious product "patties," and the compromise that allowed them to call them "Jamaican patties."
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this adorable picture book

It is a tasty story about family, food, dreams, and change—a recipe for a good read. As a reader, you'll see the happy beginnings of a family-run patty stand in Jamaica. With the inevitable change, the family immigrates to a big city in the U.S. where cold and crowds await. The pattie stand is long gone, but one of the children desires its return.

However, some dreams never die. The patty stand returns and the family learns how to maneuver their new world and life as they bring back the recipe that warmed their souls.

It's a good story. The only con is that verbose text stalls the pacing. But, I'd recommend reading this tale nonetheless.

This is a fun and delightful story about adapting to changes, learning to motivate others, and learning to share one’s passions. The illustrations are beautiful

This was really cute. I love how much food is an experience and a way to connect to home and community. I had never heard of the Patty Wars before so that was a really interesting piece of history included in the author’s note.

Patty Dreams is about a boy whose dad makes patties, that he absolutely loves. The family is able sell them and they bring the community together. We learn about how restrictions on now patties were made in Jamaica impacted people financially, but also culturally. I enjoyed seeing the family eventually persevere and be able to get back to something that meant so much to them. I really enjoyed the illustrations and it was a great length to read with kids without them losing interest.

Thanks to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.