Plátanos Go with Everything/Los Plátanos van con todo by Lissette Norman

Abstract

Reviewed by: Plátanos Go with Everything/Los Plátanos van con todo by Lissette Norman Amanda Toledo Norman, Lissette Plátanos Go with Everything/Los Plátanos van con todo; illus. by Sara Palacios; tr. from the Spanish by Kianny N. Antigua. HarperCollins, 2023 [32p] Trade ed. 9780063247789 $17.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 5-8 yrs In this inviting bilingual picture books, narrator Yesenia explores the various ways plátanos can be prepared as well as their significance to her Dominican American family. As Mami explains how plátanos grow (upward, feet “always reaching for the stars/siempre buscan alcanzar las estrellas”), she also reflects on how plantains bridge their homeland in the Dominican Republic to their new home in the United States. Evocative similes tie the narrative together: plátanos are like “baskets of green treasure/canastas de tesoros verdes,” “a love letter/una carta de amor,” “a magical cure/un remedio mágico.” Pura Belpré-winning illustrator Palacios brings vibrancy and warmth to the story with vivid oranges, yellows, and browns that have an almost watercolor appearance. While at least one character is smiling with each turn of a page, Palacios differentiates them, sometimes joyful beaming at a family reunion, sometimes savoring grins, sometimes quiet, contemplative smiles at wishes sent up on a breeze. Dominican translator Antigua keeps the flow of the story in Spanish while making it distinctly Dominican, using terms like “chichiguas” for kites and “chulo” for cool. While this is a bit lengthy for a storytime, it is easily adaptable [End Page 160] and a good fit for older children who will enjoy the art and make connections to their own families in Spanish or bilingual storytimes. A recipe for mangú on the back of the book will also make it a yummy take-home book. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois