May Your Life Be Deliciosa: A Picture Book by Genhart, Michael

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)

Author: Michael Genhart
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/14/2021
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.10h x 11.50w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781951836221
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 516006 / May Your Life Be Deliciosa

Award: Pura Belpre Award - Honor Book

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2021
Booklist 10/01/2021 pg. 40
School Library Journal 10/01/2021 pg. 72

About the Author
Michael Genhart is an award-winning author of several children's books and a clinical psychologist. He lives with his family in the Bay Area. May Your Life Be Deliciosa is his first book with Cameron Kids. Inspired by her Mexican upbringing, pop culture, and mid-century illustration and design.

Loris Lora is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and illustrator whose work has been featured in editorial and book publishing, toy and surface design, and in galleries around the world. She lives and works in Los Angeles.