THE CAZUELA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN STIRRED
Written by Samantha Vamos
Charlesbridge 2011
This bilingual celebration with a delicious ending is the story of a maiden and farm animals working together to make rice pudding they serve at a fiesta. With the familiarity of “The House That Jack Built,” this story bubbles and builds just like the ingredients of the arroz con leche that everyone enjoys. Cleverly incorporating Spanish words, adding a new one in place of the English word from the previous page, this book makes learning Spanish easy and fun. Rafael Lopez covers each page with vibrant, exuberant color, celebrating tradition and community.
REVIEWS
“The artistry of this book makes it a must buy for all libraries”.
– School Library Journal, 2012
“López’s acrylics-on-wood paintings have a burnished copper glow, while the menagerie exudes cartoonish joie de vivre.”
– Publisher’s Weekly 2012
“López’s artwork, with its desert palette punctuated by brilliant primary colors and its graphic, hard edges, suggestive of folk art, is a perfect match. His sophisticated, multilayered textures create depth, give form and work together to create an image that’s easily readable, humorous and harmonious.”
– Kirkus Reviews 2012
AWARDS/HONORS
Pura Belpré Honor Illustration 2012
ALSC Notable Childrens Books Selection 2012
Monarch Award 2013
Kirkus Starred Review 2012
School Library Journal Starred Review 2013
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2012
INTERVIEWS/PODCASTS
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2243