THE YELLOW POSTCARD

A food-insecure family anticipates the joy of picking up their community box and discovering the delicious surprises inside.

Three siblings look ahead to a long weekend, with older sister ’Tea in charge while Momma is working. Middle child Taylor is delighted that morning to find the titular postcard in the kitchen. Indeed, the whole neighborhood is abuzz with excitement over the opportunity to exchange their postcards for a surprise box “filled to the brim with wonder and possibility.” Taylor’s particularly excited about the possibility of finding “fancy little macaroni” in her box, and she declares, “This time I’m going to be the first in line!” As ’Tea holds their baby sister, Taylor takes the lead to the pick-up point, gleefully greeting and kindly helping others along the way while recalling memories of boxes past. When Taylor’s family finally receives their box, Taylor’s initial disappointment at the lack of macaroni is quickly rectified by generous Ms. Penny, who hands over a package of the pasta. Momma, already home, is ready to create “magic... and macaroni!” Allen’s pages are vivid with colorful energy, her contagiously expressive characters thoroughly diverse in skin tone (Taylor is brown-skinned, ’Tea beige-skinned, and their baby sister pale-skinned). Her thoughtful author’s note highlights the “great shame around food insecurity” and reveals she was once one of those hungry children. She poignantly dedicates the book to her younger self.

Invitingly transforms a challenging situation into an inclusive, festive community celebration.