Mora, Pat. YUM! MmMm!
QUE RICO! Americas’ Sproutings. Pictures by Rafael Lopez, New York: Lee & Low Books. 2007.
ISBN 9781584302711
On the last page of this book, Pat Mora tells the reader of
her love of diversity in people and poetry and explains her interests in food and
Haiku which led her to combine those interests to write this book. She chose to write about foods that were indigenous
to the Americas before they were divided into countries. The dedication page illustrates that desire
with a map of the Americas.
This book showcases the incomparable talent of Rafael Lopez
and enough cultural markers to seed a garden.
If the dark skin and dark hair of the featured people were not telling enough,
the bright, beautiful, vivid colors would expose the Hispanic influence. Scenes of family farming, eating, dancing and
storytelling depict the strong family dynamic in the Hispanic culture. The Aztec art influence is in the blanket
border and the spiky sun rays.
Tortillas, both rolled and flat, and maracas, drums and horns represent authentic
food and music.
The art work alone is
good enough to eat, but the text is equal parts fun and factual. In addition to the mostly whimsical Haiku
poetry about the featured food on the page, Mora also includes a side bar of
historical and scientific fun facts about the food. She includes in her native grown menu the
blueberry, chile, chocolate, corn, cranberry, papaya, peanut, pecan, pineapple,
potato, prickly pear, pumpkin, tomato, and vanilla featured in alphabetical
order.
Pat Mora is no stranger to awards. For this literary contribution she garnered
an ALA Notable Children’s Book Award, a Texas Bluebonnet Nomination, and the
Americas Book Award. Some reviewers
found some of the Haiku confusing or forced, as did I, but most thought they
were kid friendly. The overall response
to the book, however, is that the art and information delivery overcomes any
weakness in the poetry. Kirkus notes that “Lopez’s vibrant,
folklorish illustrations make the book a visual feast.”
This is a book to have fun with at home or at school. Any
day is more fun when celebrated with food.
From a kindergarten tasting day for letter P (papaya, peanut, pecan,
pineapple, potato, prickly pear, and pumpkin) to a class research project of
your own food favorites, Yum MmMm can
get you started. And for anyone else
besides me that didn’t know what Que Rico!
means…it means delicious!
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