What does our relationship with food say about what we think of our culture?
In Episode 20, I chat with Kid Haile, author and illustrator of Sometimes I Eat with My Hands. We explore the intersection of food, culture, and identity and how mealtime traditions shape our sense of belonging. Kid shares his journey from science to art, how his daughter inspired his book, the deep meaning behind the Ethiopian dish, injera, and the role of food in preserving cultural heritage.
Sometimes I Eat with My Hands gives us a glimpse into a mealtime at Feven’s house, the role of family members during mealtimes, and the importance of honouring eating traditions.
It was so interesting to see how our experiences intersected, and this episode caused me to re-evaluate what I might be teaching my kids about their own culture. Lots to think about! Anyway, I’d love to hear from you: What’s a food tradition from your culture you love? Drop a comment below!
Sometimes I Eat with My Hands will be available from Groundwood Books on April 1, and you can order a copy here.
Got any thoughts on this episode or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
If you enjoy this episode and would like to check out more conversations with children’s book authors, see this playlist on YouTube (listening options available wherever you get your podcasts).
Show highlights
- 2:24 – Kid Haile’s journey from a science background to becoming an illustrator
- 8:35 – The inspiration behind Sometimes I Eat with My Hands
- 12:15 – Balancing Ethiopian and Canadian cultures in illustrations & overcoming childhood struggles with food and cultural shame
- 16:40 – The significance of family roles at mealtimes
- 20:00 – The communal nature of injera and the meaning behind it
- 23:44 – The process of writing and illustrating Sometimes I Eat with My Hands
- 26:12 – The publishing journey—how Kid brought his book to life
- 31:55 – Expectations for the book
- 33:46 – Appreciation and end
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About Kid Haile
Ebenezer Haile is an artist of Ethiopian descent born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. As the son of a photographer, images were integral to his upbringing and his sense-making of the world around him. After obtaining a degree in biological sciences from the University of Guelph, his continued interest in beauty and the narratives surrounding images of value pulled him back to the arts, leading him to study at the Florence Academy of Art.
About Sometimes I Eat with My Hands
The little girl in this story, Feven, along with her little brother, isn’t afraid of trying new foods like broccoli, watermelon and mac-and-cheese. But for each meal she needs to decide: should she use utensils, or is this a food to eat with her hands? Each meal is an opportunity to learn and play. When Grandma comes to visit, the whole family gathers around the dinner table to eat injera, an Ethiopian and Eritrean flatbread. And Feven knows just what to do.
Sometimes I Eat with My Hands reminds us that customs around food can be central to who we are and that learning to eat means sharing with the people we love. Includes an author’s note.
Guest’s links
Follow Kid on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidhailebooks/
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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