Jalapeno Bagels [Hardcover]

Natasha Wing (Author), Robert Casilla (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

While trying to decide what to take for his school's International Day, Pablo helps his Mexican mother and Jewish father at their bakery and discovers a food that represents both his parents' backgrounds.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A delightful, albeit contrived, story of a happy, hard-working family. When Pablo must bring something to share for his school's International Day, he considers several items from his family's bakery. But his mother's Mexican pan dulce, empanadas, and chango bars don't do the trick. His father's bagels and challah bread are appealing, but not quite right either. Then the boy helps to make the family specialty, Jalape?o Bagels?a joint creation from the cultures of both parents?and decides that it is the perfect contribution: "...a mixture of both of you. Just like me." The text, placed on a white background, is easy to read and well balanced with the charming pictures. The soft, full-page watercolor illustrations are gentle and brightly colored. A Yiddish and Spanish glossary and recipes are included at the end. This book will whet readers' appetites for multicultural fare and offers food for thought for school assignments.?Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. It's International Day at school, and Pablo wants to bring a treat from his parents' panderia to share with his classmates. Should he bring his mother's wonderful pan dulce or a challah, which his father has shown him how to braid? What about his favorite chango bars or some of the jalapeno bagels he and his parents make together? Pablo's final choice isn't much of a surprise, but Wing's simple, affectionate portrait of a mixed family should have wide general appeal and be of great interest to grown-ups in search of good books that show ethnically diverse families. Casilla's warm, glowing paintings capture the individuality of each character with both subtlety and expression. A glossary of Spanish and Yiddish terms (which have been italicized in the text) is an added bonus. Stephanie Zvirin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689805306
• ISBN-13: 978-0689805301
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Natasha Wing was born in Milford, Connecticut and now lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. After graduating from Arizona State University she married Daniel Wing and worked in advertising for a number of years. It wasn't until 1991 that she decided to write children's books. Luckily she sold her first book within six months and has been writing children's books and articles ever since.

"I'm curious about many things- people, holidays, underdogs, little known historic figures - and translate my excitement for a topic into books for kids to enjoy. I mostly write picture books, but after 20 years, I'm also writing middle grade novels and easy reads. Cross your fingers they get published! Story ideas are popping into my head all the time, so you never know what my next book will be. But that's what's so fun about writing."

Birthday: February 7 Pet: cat, Jemima Professional: Member of Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators; Northern Colorado Writers, Colorado Council International Reading Association; Favorite Children's Books: Polar Express, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Cat in the Hat, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter Favorite Season: Fall Favorite Tree: Maple Favorite Color: Cranberry red Favorite Cookie: Oatmeal Raisin with Vanilla Chips

To find out more about Natasha Wing go to www.natashawing.wordpress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jalapeno Bagels by Natasha Wing, February 24, 2000

By 

Lorie Loughbrough (Rhode Island, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jalapeno Bagels (Hardcover)

This story is about a young boy who is asked to bring something to school for "International Day". He is asked by his teacher to bring something that reflects his culture. His mother suggests that he help out in their family bakery to aid him in making his decision. He could not decide between his mother's Mexican or his father's Jewish baked goods. To the surprise of his parents, the boy decides to take in jalapeno bagels. When his father asks him "Why jalapeno bagels?", his son replies "Because they are a mixture of both of you. Just like me."

I feel this book is very important for the classroom library because it is a wonderful portrayal of a diverse ethnic family. There is also a glossary of Spanish and Yiddish terms for children to learn and recipes from an authentic Mexican-Jewish bakery. The illustrations of bright watercolors help to enhance the richness of the story. It is well written and holds the reader's interest with new words from different languages.

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK, April 13, 2011

By 

Jimmie Johnson - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jalapeno Bagels (Hardcover)

Jalapeno Bagels is a great book for beginning readers. My little girl learned a lot from it. She is seven years old.