FICTION

Holy Squawkamole!: Little Red Hen Makes Guacamole

illus. by Laura González. 40p. glossary. Sterling. Mar. 2019. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781454922537.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—A take on the traditional "Little Red Hen" story, this time with a Southwestern flavor. Little Red Hen is hungry for guacamole. She has all the makings for tortillas and beans in her cocina, but not for guacamole. When she tries to enlist her friends to help her gather the ingredients, Coati is busy "hanging out," Snake is "all tied up," Armadillo has "gotta jump," and Iguana is "busy basking." But they all promise to "help eat it when it's done, gallinita roja." As with the original story, when the guacamole is ready, everybody is eager to taste it, but "Holy Squawkamole!" they all holler. "That's a smokin' hot guacamole!" Little Red Hen has added a spicy red pepper, which they all enjoy. González's illustrations are colorful. The author includes a story on the origin of guacamole, and how the Aztecs first made it. There is one mistake, though: they could not have used cilantro as it is not a New World plant. The book also includes a recipe and glossary.
VERDICT A fun and serviceable retelling that will work well as a read-aloud.

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