Yum! Mmmm! Qué Rico! Americas' Sproutings

Bibliography:

Mora, P., & Lopez, R. (2013). Yum! mmmm! qué rico! Americas’ sproutings. Live Oak Media. 

Plot Summary:

Written in haiku poems that focus on 14 foods that are native to the Americas. The poems celebrate the origin and fun of the foods.

Critical Analysis:

Pat Mora creates a fun but also an informative way to explain food that is native to the western hemisphere. One side of the page gives information about the specific food while the other side is a haiku poem that gives the food a fun side. On the fact side, each food includes the origin with some fun facts. Many of the food that is discussed is from hispanic/latino countries such as Mexico and Peru but there are some that are from the United States. Mora is able to show the hispanic/latino culture through the facts such as with the chile peppers and explaining how they originated from the Aztecs. Rafael Lopez creates colorful drawings but includes homages to the hispanic/latino culture with illustrations such as sombreros and pueblos. The book is an entertaining way to learn about food from different cultures.

Review Excerpts:

“This inventive stew of food haiku celebrates the indigenous foods of the Americas… From blueberries to prickly pears to corn, the acrylic-on-wood-panel illustrations burst with vivid colors and stylized Mexican flare.” - Booklist

“[An] inventive, fun filled approach to an ever-popular topic: food.” - School Library Journal

“Lopez’s vibrant, folklorish illustrations make the book a visual feast.” - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:

Read other books by Pat Mora such as Gracias Thanks and Tomas and the Library Lady