One of my favorite memories from my childhood was my dad’s baking. He’d often bake a simple white bread, which we would use for sandwiches or snacking. He’d sometimes turn some of it into cinnamon rolls, which came in second only to my mom’s chocolate chip cookies. On special occasions he’d whip up a batch of Orange Cinnamon Swirl, a loaf of mildly orange flavored bread with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar in the center, glazed with an orangey icing. In my mind, there was no better treat. And it wasn’t just the eating of the bread that was enjoyable, but the anticipation. And the smells. Is there any better smell than bread baking in the oven?
My dad taught me how to bake bread, and I still have the copy of Bernard Clayton’s New Complete Book of Breads that he gave me nearly 30 years ago. I bake from it often.
Bread is a staple all around the world. And bread, like books, can do wonders to foster human connection. So our hope with this list today is that it will inspire you to not only read one or more of these books about bread, but to get baking (or frying) together too. Make some beautiful memories and delicious treats together!
Continue reading for the full list and story time ideas.
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