School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Medina follows up her delectable counting book, 1 Big Salad, with a circus-themed look at the ABCs. A mouth-watering mix of performers juggle, soar, and cavort their way through the alphabet. Each letter is accompanied by a zippy alliterative phrase ("basil balancing ballerinas," "fettucine fire-eaters") and a whimsical illustration that incorporates a photo of a different type of pasta-related food. The artist makes inspired use of her edible medium: pieces of bell-like campanelle transform into clown hats; twisting strands of gemelli comprise the lithe, contorting bodies of the gymnasts; and a heap of vermicelli becomes a magician's shock of hair. Featuring thick black lines and splashes of color, the digitally created visuals look as though they were sketched with a Sharpie pen; lively and witty, they perfectly complement the clever wordplay of the text. There's plenty of white space here, resulting in a clean, elegant design. Medina is clearly in her element; each page reflects her humor, creativity, and passion for food. Appended is a recipe for cacio e pepe. VERDICT Children and adults alike will savor this dazzling addition, and the possibilities for programming ideas are endless. A must-have, especially for those seeking to spice up their concept book collections.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In an alphabetical companion to 1 Big Salad, Medina combines photographs of pasta, cheeses, and herbs with scribbly digital drawing to create a spirited cast of circus performers. Medina introduces the performers using tongue-twisting alliterative phrases-"Pecorino and Parmigiano, plate spinners," for instance-and makes playful use of varying shapes of pasta: twisting gemelli forms the bodies of two gymnasts, and nests of thin pastas often (perhaps too often) serve as the performers' hair. Vocabulary-wise, it's a mouthful, from "campanelle clowns" to a "vermicelli vanishing act," and a cacio e pepe recipe awaits hungry readers. Up to age 3. Agent: Gillian MacKenzie, Gillian MacKenzie Agency. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
