Publishers Weekly
04/29/2019
In the fourth book of the What’s Your Favorite series, Carle and 13 other creators introduce their chosen foods in vignettes ranging from exuberant odes to factual descriptions. Dan Santat’s favorite meal is an inviting bowl of ramen, and he presents the quintessential bottles of soy and chili sauces alongside the dish. Laurie Keller selects French fries as her favorite, with a smiling potato reminiscent of her spud from Potato Pants! (She also fibs a little: “Do you know how French fries are made? Well, the sun is a giant potato and when its potato rays turn golden and crispy they fall to Earth!”) Karen Katz selects matzo ball soup, enjoyed by a child in pink, Felicita Sala chooses paella, and Shannon Wright highlights chicken alfredo. Another fun collaboration that will have readers thinking about their own favorite foods. Ages 4–8. (July)
From the Publisher
"A book certain to engross and enthrall." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on What's Your Favorite Color?
"A creative collection to savor one-on-one or to spark classroom art and writing exercises." —School Library Journal, starred review, on What's Your Favorite Color?
"A varied and engaging omnibus that offers real insight into the lives and personalities of these artists." —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on What's Your Favorite Animal?
School Library Journal
07/01/2019
PreS-Gr 1—In this title, Carle and 13 of his children's book world friends write about their favorite foods. For Dan Santat, ramen is the best ever and for Laurie Keller, it is French fries. Each artist is given a spread that includes large illustrations. Text reflects the individual author's style. For example, Greg Pizzoli says his favorite food is salad: "I like the carrots, the cukes, and currants,/but what I like most of all, is that nothing in my bowl/ had parents." This title has an attractive layout and design. Text of the favorite foods ranges from one line to a couple of paragraphs. Illustrations clearly embrace the style of those featured and will be recognizable to devoted readers. Back matter includes a baby picture of each contributor as well as a mention of some of their titles. There is also a spread with pictures and a description of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. This book would work well in a group or one-on-one setting. VERDICT Highly recommended for public and school libraries to be used in programs and for circulation. This vibrant and fresh title is a winner.—Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA
Kirkus Reviews
2019-04-14
Fourteen renowned author/illustrators share musings about their favorite foods.
In this follow-up to What's Your Favorite Color (2017), a variety of children's-book creators present one double-page spread each about their favorite meal, snack, or dessert. Each is done in the artist's characteristic style, from Dan Santat's close attention to detail to Isabelle Arsenault's painterly presentation. The text varies significantly as well. Some entries are brief, like Misa Saburi's entry on strawberry daifuku: "Mochi stuffed with / sweet azuki paste / and a fresh strawberry / is quite magical!" Others are more informative, like Eric Carle's opening description of tannen honig, or pine honey, and some are funny, like Laurie Keller's assertion that French fries come from the sun. Greg Pizzoli inserts a sly admonition to vegetarianism, saying that "what I like most of all / is that nothing in my bowl / had parents." The final two pages show photographs of the authors (majority white and also majority women) as children with their biographies. While this collection is enjoyable enough, it remains to be seen whether children will be curious enough about the topic (especially given children's general lack of name recognition) to warrant rereading.
Good for young audiences and their grown-ups looking for something quick, enjoyable, but not too filling. (Picture book/poetry. 5-8)
