Back of Book:
Every year on Christmas Eve, Rosie and her mama, tia, sister, and cousins all gather together in Abuela’s kitchen to make tamales and to tell stories. Immersed in Abuela’s rich memories, Rosie learns not only how to make a delicious tamale, but how to make a delicious life, one filled with love, lots of spice, and family.
My Review:
Food has a way of bringing families together during the holiday season. I love using food-themed books to discuss different cultures and their food traditions during the holidays. May Your Life Be Deliciosa By Michael Genhart is a stunning multigenerational story about t passing down tradition and family legacy. Every year on Christmas Eve, Rosie and her mama, tia, sister, and cousins all gather together in Abuela’s kitchen to make tamales and to tell stories. Every family member has a specific task in helping to make the tamale. The recipe with its secret seasonings isn’t written down anywhere, but her grandmother shares it with everyone in the family. Every year her grandmother shares a story about making tamales. It wishes everyone that they are flexible, secure, proud, satisfied, loved, and supported by family. The illustrations by Loris Lora are inspired by her own family gatherings and are rich in color and texture. The back of the book includes notes from the author, and illustrator about how the tradition of tamale making is one they both cherish. This is a beautiful story about how food brings us together.
Ages 5 and up
32 Pages
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