Synopses & Reviews
Following on the success of
Sopa de frijoles / Bean Soup and
Arroz con leche / Rice Pudding is Jorge Arguetas third book in our bilingual cooking poem series —
Guacamole — with very cute, imaginative illustrations by Margarita Sada.
Guacamole originated in Mexico with the Aztecs and has long been popular in North America, especially in recent years due to the many health benefits of avocados. This version of the recipe is easy to make, calling for just avocados, limes, cilantro and salt. A little girl chef dons her apron, singing and dancing around the kitchen as she shows us what to do. Arguetas gift in seeing beauty, magic and fun in everything around him makes this book a treasure avocados are like green precious stones, salt falls like rain, cilantro looks like a little tree and the spoon that scoops the avocado from its skin is like an excavating tractor.
As in the previous cooking poems, Guacamole conveys the fun and pleasure of making something delicious and healthy to eat for people you really love. A great book for families to enjoy together.
Review
Praise for
Arroz con leche / Rice Pudding:"The words are evocative and dreamy . . . a wonderful book to use across cultures.”
Booklist, starred review
Review
"Sadas digitally enhanced oil paintings create bold contrasts with their festive colorsreaders will practically be able to taste the 'sour river of lime'
"
Publishers' Weekly"A bilingual treat." Kirkus
"This vibrant and lively poem is perfect for encouraging children to engage with cooking and food preparation…" — CM Magazine
About the Author
Jorge Argueta is an award-winning author of picture books and poetry for young children. He has won the Ame´ricas Book Award, the NPPA Gold Award, the Independent Publishers Book Award for Multicultural Fiction for Juveniles, second place for best bilingual picture book in the International Latino Book Awards, and he was a finalist for the Northern California Book Award. His books have also been named to the Ame´ricas Award Commended List, the USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor List, Kirkus Reviews Best Childrens Books and the Cooperative Childrens Book Centre Choices. A native Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian, Jorge spent much of his life in rural El Salvador. He now lives in San Francisco, California.
Margarita Sada is a highly regarded Mexican artist who has illustrated many childrens books, including Oloyou by Teresa Ca´rdenas, a story deriving from Yoruba mythology. Many of her books have been selected for Mexicos SEP Libros del Rinco´n program, which provides books to schoolchildren throughout the country. Margarita has had solo exhibitions of her art in Mexico and Italy. She lives in Mexico City.