The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred

 

Book Jacket

When a farm girl starts cooking, all the animals what to help.  The cow contributes milk, the hen offers eggs, and even the duck makes a special trip to the market.  While the pot is bubbling merrily on the stove, everyone dances and sings--but who is watching the cazuela?

This spicy tribute to the classic nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built" is a bilingual celebration of community and food.

Review

This is a great introduction to Mexican culture.  The bright colors make the pictures burst off the page.  The joy of dancing and singing makes me want to join in.  But mostly, this is a vocabulary book.  That sounds dull.  But I promise this is the most innovative way to teach another language that I've ever seen!

Each step of the process of making dinner is presented first in English.  "This is the pot that the farm maiden stirred."  On the next page, the second step is presented in English, followed by the first step again, this time in Spanish.  "This is the butter that went into the cazuela that the farm maiden stirred."

I admit, I had to flip back a page several times to remind myself what the Spanish words meant.  But by the end of the repititious song, I had mastered several new Spanish terms!  All while enjoying a sing-songy text and a funny story.  Pretty genius if you ask me.

Four out of five patos.

Release Date:  February 2011
Reading Level: Grade PreK+
Where In Dunlap Public Library's Collection: MONARCH