Rita Golden Gelman, paintings by Yansook Choi,
Rice is Life.
Henry Holt and Co., 2000

Gelman and Choi have combined their talents to create this engaging and attractive book on the importance of rice in culture. Rice is Life demonstrates he significance of rice in Bali by focusing on the bustling activities surrounding the sawah (rice field). This book is filled with small wetland creatures, birds, farmers, and of course, rice. Initially the flow of text is awkward but continuing with the book I understood its direction and appreciated is simplicity. Choi’s warm illustrations combine with Gelman’s rhyme and text to make it inviting to a large age range of children. Learning how rice is grown and harvested will add fresh excitement to eating this worldwide staple.

Mark J. Manuel