Tomatoes in My Lunchbox, Costantia Manoli
Tomatoes in My Lunchbox, Costantia Manoli
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Tomatoes in My Lunchbox

Author: Costantia Manoli

Narrator: Costantia Manoli

Unabridged: 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/21/2022


Synopsis

This audiobook is read by the author.

Tomatoes in My Lunchbox is a moving audiobook 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 audiobook by Costantia Manoli, with vibrant art by Magdalena Mora, artfully captures feelings of displacement and the joy that comes from forging new friendships.

A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press

About Costantia Manoli

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.

About Magdalena Mora

Magdalena Mora is a Minneapolis-based illustrator and graphic designer with a special interest in children's books and visual storytelling. She has illustrated Deborah Diesen's Equality's Call and Jackie Azúa Kramer's I Wish You Knew. 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.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Deb (Readerbuzz) on November 21, 2022

A girl has left her homeland and is beginning school in a new country. The girl is filled with longing to have a name that is easy to say, to have a lunch that looks like the lunches of others. Tentatively, she tries to connect with others, and, after a few misfires, she succeeds. A lovely story of......more

Goodreads review by Baby Bookworm on September 19, 2022

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily! Hello, friends! Our book today is Tomatoes in My Lunchbox, written by Costantia Manoli and illustrated by Magdalena Mora, a sweet story of cultural blending and friendship. On her first day of schoo......more

Goodreads review by Amanda on December 27, 2022

Hearing a name get butchered by someone reading it from a list is universal. Lists could include a phonetic option. Any teacher worth their merit will learn to pronounce a name, but it can take some effort. If you are like me, I have 400 current students, I can't remember half their names most of th......more

Goodreads review by Heidi on June 08, 2023

I am just super happy to read a picture book with a Mediterranean protagonist. The illustrations are beautiful and add so much.......more

Goodreads review by Alex on August 31, 2022

Things are difficult for a young girl whose family has just immigrated and nothing feels the same, but especially not her name. Back home, her same sounded like "soft like summer and round with love and color and light" but now, when her teacher or the other kids at school say her name, it just does......more


Awards

  • Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year