SHSU BOOK REVIEW FOR YUM! MMMM! QUE RICO! AMERICAS’ SPROUTINGS

 


YUM! MMMM! QUE RICO! AMERICAS’ SPROUTINGS


A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mora, Pat, and Rafael Lopez. Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico!: America’s Sproutings (Spanish Edition). New York, Lee and Low Books, 2007. ISBN 978-1-60060-268-9



B. PLOT SUMMARY

Peanuts, blueberries, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and more-here is a luscious collection of haiku celebrating foods native to the Americas. Brimming with imagination and fun, these poems capture the tasty essence of foods that have delighted, united, and enriched our lives for centuries. Exuberant illustrations bring to life the delicious spirit of the haiku, making Yum! ¡Mmm! ¡Qué Rico! America's Sproutings an eye-popping, mouth-watering treat. Open it and dig in!



C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS( INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)


Mora uses Haikus to describe fourteen indigenous foods of the Americas. The book does not have specific characters since its purpose is to describe the foods, but the “people '' or characters who are pictured are happy and take delight in eating the delicious foods.  The author uses descriptive adjectives that show the mouth-watering and tasty food in such a way that the reader can practically taste it. The look on the people’s faces shows how excited and delighted they are with sampling the delicacies.  The illustrator does a great job capturing their facial expressions. The poem about chile shows the teary-eyed character’s face enjoying and expressing how they feel when biting into a spicy pepper. The child in the back appears to be astonished witnessing the act. 


The book richly describes and sheds light on the diversity of the latino cultural taste buds by detailing the flavors and sights of our traditional foods.  Lopez uses bright and vivid colors that also makes the poem stand out visually.  The homes and the surroundings in the book also provide an intimate look into the hispanic culture and community.  Students will be able to relate to these illustrations and to the food and characters. The creative Haiku poem with the informational boxes is a great way to bring attention to Hispanic culture. 


D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

2008 ALA Notable Children’s Books


Booklist :"This inventive stew of food haiku celebrates the indigenous foods of the Americas." 


School Library Journal: "Teachers will find this a welcome addition to their social-studies units, but it should also win a broad general audience for its inventive, fun-filled approach to an ever-popular topic: food." 



E. CONNECTIONS

– Have students write a haiku about their favorite book. Afterwards, have them illustrate it.


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