The Foods (Come to Mexico)

Grade 3-6-Breezy and upbeat, these series entries present solid overviews of their topics in an economical fashion, giving young readers enough facts (and a clear sense of cause and effect in the historical volume) to prepare brief reports or to answer their own questions. In addition to Ancona's own photographs, illustrations include period photographs, engravings, and paintings. Foods investigates not only Mexican cooking (including candies), but also looks at the cultural settings and occasions during which certain types of foods are likely to be eaten. In Past, the author succinctly surveys the major periods and forces of Mexican history and does not avoid its tumultuousness and frequent revolutions. People covers the expected Spanish, Indian, and mestizo populations, but also is careful to point out the contributions of immigrants from nations other than Spain. Foods includes a pair of recipes, Past adds a time line, and People, a list of common phrases. These are solid choices for any children's collection in which books about other cultures and peoples are popular, and especially for those serving Mexican-American students.
Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reviewed with other titles by Ancona in the Viva Mexico! set.

Gr. 3-6. Each book in this five-book Viva Mexico! set is packed with crisp color photographs by veteran photographer Ancona, who is known for his Latin-themed photo-essays, among them, Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead (1993). The books are a visual feast, but the material, which might easily have made up topical chapters in a single, comprehensive book about Mexico, has been stretched across five books to accommodate Ancona's numerous photos. The only title substantive enough to justify a separate book is The Past, which details Mexico's complicated history in a clear, straightforward manner. A short glossary, and a "Find Out More" list of books for further reading conclude each volume. At $16.95 per book, the set is not an economical purchase, but it is certainly lovely to look at. Recommended for collections concentrating on Latino studies and those that have generous budgets. Annie Ayres
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