May Your Life Be Deliciosa

About this book

A delicious and fortifying picture book inspired by award-winning author Michael Genhart's family and illustrated by Loris Lora, May Your Life Be Deliciosa features the Mexican tradition of holiday tamale-making. A Pura Belpré Award Illustrator Honor Book "What is the recipe?" I ask. Abuela laughs. "It is in my heart, Rosie. I use mis ojos, my eyes, to measure. Mis manos, my hands, to feel. Mi boca, my mouth, to taste. My abuela gave it to me, and I am giving it to you." Each year on Christmas Eve, Rosie's abuela, mamá, tía, sister, and cousins all gather together in Abuela's kitchen to make tamales--cleaning corn husks, chopping onions and garlic, roasting chilis, kneading cornmeal dough, seasoning the filling, and folding it all--and tell stories. Rosie learns from her abuela not only how to make a delicious tamale, but how to make a delicious life, one filled with love, plenty of spice, and family. "Drawing upon their own Latinx family experiences, Genhart and Lora cook up a beautiful story of food and cultural identity, rooted in family recipes, storytelling, and togetherness." --Booklist (Starred Review) "The warmth of family love and support wafts enticingly through this homage to tradition." --Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)