TINY TORTILLA

Young Juan Carlos has been weeding his garden all morning, but when he gets to the town plaza to buy his lunch from the tortilla woman, she’s all sold out. However, she has a tiny bit of masa left, so she teaches Juan Carlos how to pat the dough, “Palma-palma-palmadita.” When you think it’s ready, she says, give it three more pats. Juan Carlos goes off to do so, and discovers the masa is more than it seems. It turns into a floppy sombrero to cover him while he naps, a boat to carry him through the arroyo when it rains and a huge feather to carry him on the wind. Each time, he has to re-make the tortilla, until finally it becomes hot (like the sun), fresh (like the rain) and soft and airy (like the wind). Williams’s charming text teaches the importance of imagination and perseverance (and following cooking instructions), and Karas’s sunny spreads are as warm, fresh, airy and magical as the tortilla. (Picture book. 4-8)