Jorge Argueta, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng,
Sopa de frijoles / Bean Soup
Groundwood Books, 2009.

Ages 4-8

A boy describes how to make bean soup in a poem that is mindful of the sensory experiences of cooking and the pleasure of sharing the results. Use beans that are “red, white, or black as night,” garlic that is “white as midday,” and an onion that is white or “yellow as the dawn.” Before cutting the onion say “ ‘Thank you for your lovely taste . . . ’ ” The beans are washed and soaked, the vegetables chopped, and all is put with water and salt into a pot that is “round as the moon / and as deep / as a little lake.” When the soup is finally done it’s time to “Decorate the table / with flowers and smiles” and share the goodness with family. Jorge Argueta’s bilingual (Spanish/English) poem could be used as a recipe and how-to guide (the need for adult supervision is noted), but the savory words are satisfying all on their own. Rafael Yockteng’s illustrations of the boy making the soup with his mother are in beautifully muted tones.

Megan Schliesman
September 2009