Have you ever planned a surprise for someone, only to be surprised in return?

In Sarah van Dongen’s heartwarming debut picture book, The Neighborhood Surprise (Tiny Owl, 2021), kindness, community, diversity, and of course, mouthwatering food – are all on the menu.

Young Koya and her friends, Hassan and Alex, are upset to learn that one of their elderly neighbors, Mrs. Fig, is moving to a retirement home. They love to visit her because she tells them “exciting stories from the past,” sews them cool costumes for dress-up, has the cuddliest pets, and best of all – bakes “the most delicious cookies.”

How can they show her how much they’ll miss her? Koya suggests a surprise goodbye party. They could invite the entire neighborhood for a potluck!

Koya and her Dad bake a vegan cake, so Hassan, who’s a vegan, can eat it too. Hassan and his mom make falafel and spicy curry, while Alex and her family make a vegetable pie since Mrs. Fig is a vegetarian. Everyone in this culturally diverse neighborhood gets busy making their own specialties. 

On the day of the party, they all bring tables and chairs and set out their delectable homemade dishes. Koya, Hassan and Alex (all in costume) knock on Mrs. Fig’s door. SURPRISE!!

Mrs. Fig is genuinely touched to see the whole neighborhood in the street. Alex proudly shares the vegetable pie she and her family made – “It’s vegetarian, just like you!”

Everyone enjoys the food and fellowship – the party is a great success! Then Mrs. Fig makes a surprise announcement. 

“I’m only moving to the retirement home across the street . . . “ 🙂

Well, that means they must have another  party next year. Koya asks Mrs. Fig if she’ll promise to make some cookies for it, and Mrs. Fig agrees, provided that they promise to visit her in her new home. 🙂

I “discovered” this picture book after recently stumbling upon Sarah van Dongen’s delightful mixed media illustrations. I was instantly drawn to the childlike whimsy and wealth of interesting details in her pictures, and was pleasantly surprised to learn she’d published a couple of children’s books.

The Neighborhood Surprise is a book about community and inclusion, and Sarah did a brilliant job of depicting this multiethnic, multigenerational neighborhood.

Love peeking into the kitchens where Koya, Hassan, and Alex plan and create their special dishes, and seeing the other neighbors, many in native dress, mixing, kneading, and slicing. Old and young work together, and in addition to various skin tones, we see Alex’s sister in a wheelchair. All the characters seem interesting with stories of their own.

In real life, Sarah likes “plants, dogs, and cakes,” and she certainly made it a point to include potted plants, trees, or gardens in nearly every spread. I do like the foodie endpapers too, with its appetizing display of sweet and savory treats.  My favorite spread is probably the one showing all the tables lined up along the street, with people happily eating and chatting. It’s a good feeling to see how their love of Mrs. Fig and good food brought them all together.

The illustrated endnote discusses the difference between veganism and vegetarianism, with a short explanation of why someone would choose these lifestyles.

This flavorful story has made me hungry. Should I have cookies or curry? 🙂

*

THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURPRISE
written and illustrated by Sarah van Dongen
published by Tiny Owl, 2021
Picture Book for ages 4-8, 32 pp.

♥️ Check out the Activity Pack at the publisher’s website.

♥️ Enjoy the Official Book Trailer:

*

---

*Interior spreads text and illustrations copyright © 2021 Sarah van Dongen, published by Tiny Owl Publishing. All rights reserved.

**Copyright © 2024 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.