José Feeds the World
One chef. One plate of food. Millions of lives changed. An inspiring true story for young readers who want to make a difference.
When chef José Andrés sees disaster strike, he doesn’t just watch—he shows up, ready to cook. From the smell of saffron and rice in his childhood kitchen in Spain, to the bustling kitchens of earthquake and hurricane relief zones, José has learned that food can be more than nourishment, it can be hope.
José Feeds the World tells the remarkable true story of how an award-winning chef became the founder of World Central Kitchen, serving over 200 million meals to people affected by natural disasters, pandemics, and war.
With David Unger’s heartfelt, accessible storytelling and Marta Álvarez Miguéns’ vibrant, mural-like illustrations, this multi-award-winning picture book invites children ages 4–8 to imagine how their own passions could change the world.
Parents, teachers, and librarians will love how it sparks meaningful conversations about kindness, resilience, and global citizenship. José Feeds the World is more than a biography—it’s a celebration of compassion in action, a reminder that one person’s talents can make a global impact, and an invitation for every child to see themselves as a changemaker.
Awards:
2024-2025 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List
2024 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children's Book Awards Silver Honor
2024 Skipping Stones Honor Awards Winner, Multicultural and International Category
2025-2026 Land of Enchantment Book Award nominee, Coyote list
2026 Towner Award Nominee
2025 Missouri Dogwood Recommended Reading List
2025-2026 Chickadee Award Nominee
Born in Guatemala and living in New York since his childhood, David received his country's Miguel Angel Asturias National Literature Prize for lifetime achievement in 2014. The Mastermind (Akashic Books, 2016), his latest novel, has been translated into nine languages. He has translated 16 titles, including Folktales for Fearless Girls (Penguin, 2019) and the work of Rigoberta Menchú. His children's books include Topo Pecoso/Moley Mole, Sleeping with the Light On, and La Casita.
Marta Álvarez Miguéns is a self-taught children's illustrator. She was born in a small town in Galicia, Spain, and currently lives in La Coruña, Spain. She is the illustrator of Shark Lady (written by Jess Keating), which was named a 2018 Best STEM Book by the Children's Book Council as well as a Best STEM Book by the National Science Teachers Association.