April's Libro del Mes: Guacamole, A Cooking Poem

Guacamole:

Un poema para cocinar, A Cooking Poem

by Jorge Argueta

illustrated by Margarita Sada

Groundwood Books (Libros Tigrillo) never fails to deliver beautiful stories filled with culture and warmth. This month's Libro del Mes is no exception. Written by the poet Jorge Argueta, Guacamole: Un poema para cocinar, A Cooking Poem is more than just a simple recipe centered around the traditional Latin dish. Instead, it is a glimpse into the world of a child who creates something special for her family using her imagination and joyful spirit.

Told in the first person, our narrator is a young girl for whom aguacates resemble green precious stones,  limes are like big crystal marbles, and their seeds like little pearls. This delightful book comes with full text in both English and Spanish. 

Young chefs will thoroughly enjoy this book. Immediately after reading the book, my daughter made out our grocery list to include cilantro and aguacates. I love books that call children to action and appreciate how Guacamole inspires children to get in the kitchen and put together a simple dish that everyone will enjoy.

The illustrations are so creative and engaging for young readers. I like how Sada has given the reader images that reflect the imagination of the young girl in the tale.

Here's a sample passage from the book...

Ahora le agregas sal, no mucha.

Cántale a la sal

cuando la agites,

para que como pringuitas

de llovizna blanca

caiga sobre el aguacate verde.

Sal salita de mi salero

échale la sal primero.

Ahora con el tractor de tu cuchara

remueve un pcoc la carnita verde de los aguacates.

Mueve tu cuchara hacia arriba y hacia abajo.

El aguacate se está poniendo

más blandito.

Se está volviendo guacamole.

Now add salt, not too much.

Sing to the salt

as you shake it

so that little spatters

of white drizzle

fall like rain on the green avocado.

Salt, salty salt from my saltshaker,

salt goes in first.

Now with your tractor spoon

stir up the green avocado flesh.

Move your spoon up and down.

The avocado is getting

softer.

It's becoming guacamole.

If you loved Argueta's book, Arroz con leche/Rice Pudding: Un poema para cocinar/A Cooking Poem, you'll love this next book in the series!

Parents and teachers can use this book to make guacamole with their children and then talk about the concepts of family, imagination, similes, poetry, and cooking.

If you would like to buy your own copy of Guacamole: Un poema para cocinar, A Cooking Poem, we have both new and gently used copies available here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store.