Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Eight young rainforest creatures rebel against their single-item diets in this linguistically and graphically cheerful story that picky eaters of the human variety should well appreciate. Elya's (Adios, Tricycle) spry verse balances English and boldface Spanish words, placing the latter in easily deciphered context (an illustrated glossary/pronunciation guide is also included). The creatures' parents have no luck persuading their offspring to eat their customary fare. A toucan complains that pomegranates have too many seeds, an iguana insists that mangos are too sweet, and a quetzal proclaims avocados "too squishy and squashy and green." In gauzy, acrylic paintings ablaze with tropical hues, Walker (Your Daddy Was Just Like You) humorously conveys the contrasting moods of cajoling parents and their unyielding young. The rhyme scheme is occasionally simplistic or clunky, though there's a pleasing irreverence in many couplets ("Three times each dia, it's always the same./ Please, not that flower, Papa. It's so lame!"). Creative parental problem solving brings the finicky eaters together for a merry feast, where they discover the rewards of sharing and experimenting. Ages 3-5. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-All throughout the rainforest, adult and baby animals and birds are having similar conversations. The parents try to encourage their children to eat fruit or blossoms and the youngsters refuse-they just can't stand one more mouthful of their usual fare. After a lot of complaining, the families meet to join forces and offer the rainforest babies fruit "ensalada." And what could be better than sharing it? "Nada!" The rhyming text is in English with Spanish words sprinkled in, a hallmark of Elya's work. Each stanza introduces the animal, bird, or insect. However, sometimes the rhyming structure makes it unclear who is speaking. Elya includes a helpful glossary of Spanish vocabulary at the front of the book, including pronunciation. The illustrations are winning, using pastel colors that emphasize the depth and vibrancy of the rainforest. The story seems to go on a bit too long before the final resolution, but it would appeal in a bilingual storytime or in a unit on rainforest animals.-Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Little rainforest animals won't eat what is being served. Their clever parents come up with a solution that involves a play date and a table filled with comida (food). The rhyming text, sprinkled with Spanish words in bold, is clever. Vivid-hued acrylic illustrations show humorously stubborn toddler stand-ins. Glos. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Finicky eaters abound in this rainforest/selva, in which several bilingual baby animals refuse their normal foods. Bananas are funky for one small Monkey, pomegranate seeds too messy for Baby Toucan, mango too sweet for a young Iguana and the same flower petal over and over is "so lame!" according to Little Butterfly. Elya's signature blended Spanish-with-English couplets highlight a series of dietary complaints summed up best by a tiny hummingbird tired of eating nectar. " 'Flowersno ms!' He flits there en frente. / 'Hummingbird kids need food diferente!' " Variety proves a spicy solution when one creative mama macaw surprises everyone with a midweek-playgroup fruit ensalada that offers deliciously new choices for all to share. Walker's acrylic paintings in rich, primary rainforest colors add appeal to the bouncy, sometimes uneven rhyme. Kids with picky palates will appreciate the message and discover new tasty options while training their tongues with morsels of Spanish. An illustrated glossary and pronunciation guide completes the fare. (Picture book. 5-8) ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
