Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO

French fries are not from France?! They actually originated in Belgium. French fries are also what the British call “chips”, as in “Fish and Chips.” And, surprise! Fish and Chips came from the Portuguese Jews who were fleeing the Portuguese Inquisition. In fact, Thomas Jefferson, who went to France during the Revolution War also stopped over in England where he tried “fish fried in the Jewish manner.”

When I thought of crafts to accompany The Traveling Taco, French fries felt appropriate!

What you will need:

Red and yellow origami paper or construction paper
Scissors

I used this package of origami paper with red on one side and yellow on the other.

Here’s my video on how to fold origami fries.

The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthrone-Wong

An exploration of the history of kids’ favorite foods from around the world

From pizza to pasta and ice cream to French fries, some of our favorite foods have a surprising history, and many of them have traveled far from where they originated! Did you know many well-known dishes are food immigrants? The Al Pastor Taco traveled from Lebanon to Puebla, Mexico! French fries originated in Belgium! And pasta arrived in Italy long before Marco Polo visited China. This fascinating nonfiction book featuring rhyming text takes the reader on travels around the world to celebrate foods, their history, and surprising origins. Join Mia Wenjen for a fact-packed journey of discovery that will make your mouth water as you travel the unexpected road of some of our favorite foods. [nonfiction picture book, ages 5 and up]

p.s. I’ll be doing this origami activity at my Storytime at Ten Trees Books on Saturday, May 24, 2025!

p.s.s. Related posts:

The Traveling Taco Storytime and Craft at Ten Trees Books

Today is My Book Birthday for The Traveling Taco & 10 Book GIVEAWAY!

The Traveling Taco book trailer!

Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO

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Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación

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Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat

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The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods

California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025

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We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

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