ABC Pasta: An Entertaining Alphabet - Hardcover

Juana Medina ate a LOT of pasta while making this book! She grew up in Colombia and now lives and works in Washington, D.C. She is the illustrator of Smick! by Doreen Cronin, and is the author/illustrator of Juana and Lucas and 1 Big Salad: A Delicious Counting Book. Please visit her and her work at juanamedina.com.

PreS-Gr 1—Medina follows up her delectable counting book, 1 Big Salad, with a circus-themed look at the ABCs. A mouth-watering mix of performers juggle, soar, and cavort their way through the alphabet. Each letter is accompanied by a zippy alliterative phrase ("basil balancing ballerinas," "fettucine fire-eaters") and a whimsical illustration that incorporates a photo of a different type of pasta-related food. The artist makes inspired use of her edible medium: pieces of bell-like campanelle transform into clown hats; twisting strands of gemelli comprise the lithe, contorting bodies of the gymnasts; and a heap of vermicelli becomes a magician's shock of hair. Featuring thick black lines and splashes of color, the digitally created visuals look as though they were sketched with a Sharpie pen; lively and witty, they perfectly complement the clever wordplay of the text. There's plenty of white space here, resulting in a clean, elegant design. Medina is clearly in her element; each page reflects her humor, creativity, and passion for food. Appended is a recipe for cacio e pepe. VERDICT Children and adults alike will savor this dazzling addition, and the possibilities for programming ideas are endless. A must-have, especially for those seeking to spice up their concept book collections.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal