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“A hilarious mistranslation has a young girl fearing she’ll have to eat something unsavory. …Spanish words are mixed in throughout. Vibrant illustrations brim with energy and movement as carrots, tomatoes, peas, and other foodstuffs careen across the pages. Both text and visuals convey sensory experiences such as smells and flavors and paint a portrait of a loving Cuban American immigrant family and their traditions. A sweet family story about building understanding across generations.”

– Kirkus Reviews

¡¿Ropa Vieja para la Cena?! (Old Clothes for Dinner?!)

Written by Nathalie Alonso
Illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro
Published by Barefoot Books

Magaly loves the yummy Cuban food her Abuela has been cooking since arriving from Havana, but when Magaly’s sweater goes missing, she discovers that Abuela is making ropa vieja for dinner. Old clothes for dinner? Yuck! Now Magaly must hide the rest of her clothes before her family eats them up. A silly story of misunderstandings!

  • Endnotes feature other imaginative names of food around the world, facts about Cuba, Spanish vocabulary
  • Includes two delicious recipes for ropa vieja and arroz con leche.

Look for the English version, Old Clothes for Dinner?!.

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: September 2024
Available As: Paperback
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Source: Barefoot Books