Josh tries to avoid eating the "mud soup" prepared by Rosa's abuela (grandmother). - (Baker & Taylor)

Josh's best friend, Rosa, keeps trying to get him to taste her grandmother's mud soup--her favorite--and he has been able to avoid it...until now, in a multicultural story that includes a recipe for mud soup. Simultaneous. - (Baker & Taylor)

Josh’s best friend, Rosa, loves mud soup. What’s worse, she keeps trying to get Josh to taste it. He’s been able to escape so far, but that’s all about to change. In this simple, multicultural story, kids will relate to Josh’s food anxiety, and page by page, their anticipation will grow along with his until they find out what’s really in mud soup. Recipe included! - (Random House, Inc.)

Booklist Reviews

Gr. 1-2. Josh is tired of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but when his friend, Rosa, offers him some of her mud soup ("Delicioso "), he's appalled. Are worms wiggling in the glop? The same thing happens when he visits her house, and Rosa's abuela asks him to stay for dinner. Of course, he finds out that mud soup is black bean soup, and after tasting it, he agrees that it is delicioso. The occasional Spanish words add to the cross-cultural fun in this Step into Reading title, and Guevara's clear, bright, active illustrations extend the affectionate friendship story, which will be enjoyed by both Latino and Anglo kids learning to read. ((Reviewed August 2003)) Copyright 2003 Booklist Reviews

Horn Book Guide Reviews

When Rosa tries to share her abuela's ""mud soup"" with her friend Josh, he hesitates to eat what looks like dirt mixed with worms. Although the transitions are abrupt, this book features word repetition, a linear plot, and a text flavored with Spanish words. The accompanying illustrations provide clues to help beginning readers decode the text. A short glossary of Spanish words and a recipe for black bean soup are included. Copyright 2004 Horn Book Guide Reviews.