Welcome in Fall with a Good Book -- Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman (Review)

 

Buy now for only $16.99.

Author: Helen Ketteman

Illustrator: Will Terry

Hardcover ISBN: 9780807573020
$16.99
Published 2012
Age Levels: 4-7, Grades: Preschool-2
Pages: 32
9.00" x 11.00"
Synopsis:

In this Tex-Mex retelling of the Gingerbread  Man, Senorita Gordita--a little corn cake--escapes from the frying pan and leads a merry chase. She runs through the desert boasting, "You'll never catch me!" while fleeing from a spider, a rattler, and other hungry creatures "with a flip, and a skip, and a zip-zoom-zip." A fast-paced and wildly illustrated twist on an old favorite. 

My Thoughts:

Did you enjoy reading the Gingerbread Man growing up?  I sure did!  So, when I heard that there was another version of this timeless classic that was about a corn cake -- yes, you read that right! - I had to get my hands on a copy and ready not only to the girls, but for myself. 

As I read the story to the girls the first time, I couldn't help buy laugh at the storyline, and the fat little corn cake with the big bottom.  The illustrations in this book are amazing to look at and give a Tex-Mex feel to the book.  The corn cake even sports a wide brimmed cowboy hat and what looks like dark lipstick.  The ending is unexpected -- I will not spoil it for you -- well, let's just say their are crumbs involved. :-)  And, when you are done reading the book, make sure to check out the last page for a glossary of Spanish words that are found throughout this book, along with an easy to prepare and oh so tasty recipe for Gorditas (corn cakes). 

My husband who is from El Salvador, didn't know what to expect from this book, when he saw the cover, as the term "Senorita Gordita" translates to Little Miss Fat One.  But, after reading it to the girls at bedtime, he too, fell in love with this book, and often pulls it from the shelf at bedtime to read to them.

If you love seeing timeless classics reinvented in fun ways, then you will love this new take on the Gingerbread Man. :-)

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.