Yum! ¡Mmmm! ¡Que Rico! Americas' Sproutings

YUM! ¡MMM! ¡QUE RICO! AMERICAS' SPROUTINGS

by Pat Mora
Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Image credit: www.patmora.com

1. Bibliography

Mora, Pat. 2007. Yum! ¡Mmmm! ¡Que Rico! Americas' Sproutings. Ill. by Rafael Lopez. New York: Lee and Low Books. ISBN 9781584302711

2. Plot Summary

From blueberries to tomatoes to pecans, there are many foods that are native to the Americas that are now enjoyed in dishes around the world.  In this poetry collection, these native foods are described in 14 haikus. Along with each haiku is a short paragraph explaining the origin of the food, its Spanish name, and a few more unique facts.  The haikus are a fun introduction to each food item such as the one about cranberries, "Marsh-floating hard bead / simmers then POPS! in hot pot / Scarlet fireworks".  Then, the reader can delve into a bit of history by reading the paragraph that explains more information about each food. 

3. Critical Analysis

This poetry collection could be read and enjoyed by students of many ages.  There are common foods that every child has tried such as corn and potaotes and a few exotic ones such as papaya and prickly pear.  The haiku style is brief, but descriptive and the accompanying paragraph is interesting without overwhelming the reader with facts.    

The illustrations add a great deal of interest to make this poetry collection stand out.  The vivid acrylic on wood panels are a lively and animated background for each poem.  From the dancing, trumpet-playing peanut butter sandwich to the fire-breathing Dad who just ate a chile, there is spectacular artistry on each double-page spread.  The people depicted have various skin tones and a variety of hairstyles as they hail from a variety of locales from Peru to Wisconsin. 

Yum! ¡Mmmm! ¡Que Rico! Americas' Sproutings is culturally relevant as it mentions many of the countries throughout South and Central America, in which these foods originated.  Mora carefully explains the Spanish name and credits the Latino (or Native American) people that first started preparing these foods.  For example, the "Aymara Indians of Bolivia developed more that two hundred varieties of potatoes" or "papaya... are believed to originated in southern Mexico and Central America".  Readers of all cultural backgrounds can learn something new from this book and enjoy the poetry.  Latino readers might have a deeper connection with some of the descriptions of foods that are traditionally prepared in their culture.     

4. Review Excerpts and Awards

BOOKLIST (December 2007) "This inventive stew of food haiku celebrates the indigenous foods of the Americas. Each of the 13 poems appears on a gloriously colorful double-page spread, accompanied by a sidebar that presents information about the origin of the food. From blueberries to prickly pears to corn, the acrylic-on-wood panel illustrations burst with vivid colors and stylized Mexican flair."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (September 2007) "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."

ALA Notable Books for Children 2008

Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature Commended 2008

Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2008

Great Lakes Great Books Nominee 2008-2009

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2008-2009

5. Connections

• Show students a video interview with the author, Pat Mora, on YouTube.com.
• Students could be challenged to write their own "food haiku" poems during a poetry unit.
• Use any of the ideas and activities on Pat Mora's website that include "plan a Yum! party with your colleagues or class" and "create an art piece (watercolor, collage, etc) incorporating the 14 foods in the book".