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Summary
Summary
Hope's new and unusual dessert blends well with the traditional dishes prepared by her cousins and Aunt Poogee at their annual summer get-together.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-Hope, a biracial child, returns from her self-titled debut (Carolrhoda, 1998) to visit her country relatives with a surprise contribution to the large extended family's feast-peppermint pickles (recipe included). Her narrative is simple, yet sprinkled with meaningful descriptions and homespun expressions. The story is full of events that could happen at any gathering: children lose interest in their games when it's time to churn ice cream; one boy insists on playing his trumpet; another delivers a humorous blessing at mealtime. The paintings are impressionistic (often the texture of the canvas shows) and full of color. The illustrations excel at showing emotions; often, Hope looks as if she is dancing because she is so happy. The highlight is a two-page spread showing the family at dinner. The child's surprise may sound odd to some readers, but since the story is about accepting the tastes of others, it is appropriate. A good choice to pair with Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came (Bradbury, 1985) or Elizabeth Howard's Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) (Clarion, 1991).-Thomas Pitchford, Rosenthal Elementary, Alexandria, LA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The star of Hope returns for a sequel, which again revolves around her ethnicity as the child of a white father and an African-American mother. Hope and her parents gather with members of her mother's extended family at Aunt Poogee's farm for their annual summer reunion. Into the relative- and food-filled house, Hope carries a box holding her contribution to the feast: pickles. "That's different. But come to think of it, so are you," a cousin comments. As she offers a rundown of the various dishes on the table, Monk emphasizes the fact that each comes from a family recipe (e.g., "Aunt Frances had brought her family recipe corn pudding"). When Hope serves her pickles (she has inserted a peppermint stick into each), she announces that a cousin "on my papa's side" taught her how to make the dessert. This prompts Aunt Poogee to advise the girl later, "Sharing food is a good way of sharing family. Always add a cup of tradition from your papa's family to a cup from your mama's side." Five recipes including one for the pickles appear at the end. Featuring broad strokes and a warm palette, Porter's softly focused, stylized paintings help convey the family's energy and camaraderie. Though the characters remain rather sketchy, the tale may well feed worthwhile dialogue about bringing families together. Ages 3-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
In this second book about Hope, the young girl and her family gather at her maternal aunt's farm for an annual reunion. Hope's contribution to the feast--pickles stuffed with peppermint candy--is a surprise from her father's side of the family. The lively illustrations, which depict Hope as biracial, are a fitting match for this story of a boisterous and loving African-American family. Recipes are included. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
This sequel to Hope (1999), from the same team, centers on a family feast and a feast of family. Hope is traveling with her white father and African-American mother to her Aunt Poogee's farm for a gathering of her mother's family. Like all extended families, it is a mishmash of personalities, and Hope digs right into the proceedings, which hinge on the meal. Hope has brought a surprise dish that she would like to see make its way into the long-standing core of family recipes. The meal is a family affair, with traditional recipes with all of the food but the crab cakes raised on the farm. Monk's silky narrative and Porter's illustrations, with their light-filled quality of stained glass, create an atmosphere of appealing warmth and a glimpse into what family reunions ought to be like. "Sharing food is a good way of sharing family," Aunt Poogee says to Hope as they sit together on the porch swing in the twilight. "Always add a cup of tradition from your papa's family to a cup from your mama's side." This is a book to be read leisurely, and there is enough text to give it the time it needs, while the artwork bathes the eyes with its savory colors. Readers can try out a few of the recipes that made this feast so fine, even Hope's surprise: pickles with peppermint stick centers. (Picture book. 3-8)
Booklist Review
Ages 4^-7. There's fun in store when Hope heads home for a family gathering. Children will feel the excitement from their first glance at the energetic jacket, which shows an African American family, all ages and hues, laughing and loving being together. Hope is excited because this year she is bringing a dish, just as many of her relatives do. But before she shows it off, there's time for seeing the animals on Aunt Poogie's farm, cranking the ice cream, and admiring the table filled with food. Monk keeps the interest level high by ending the text on the introductory spreads with ellipses, an intriguing way to get kids to turn the page. Porter's robust, boldly colored art is just right for a story so full of emotion and movement. Hope finally offers her pickles with peppermint sticks inside. The family is skeptical at first but then finds them a treat. Aunt Poogie's concluding conversation about family adds depth, and children whose mouths have been watering will appreciate the appended recipes. --Ilene Cooper
