Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book

This emotionally layered counting book celebrates an extended Latinx family’s Sunday tradition: gathering together for menudo. In English and Spanish, spare text counts from uno to quince while the family joyfully assembles (“Cuatro/ Four tías laughing at abuelito Jorge’s jokes”), and the children set the table and sneak treats. Things grind to a halt when a family dog causes abuelito Esteban to drop the large pot of menudo. But as the counting starts again at uno (“ONE DEEP BREATH”), creating a fitting somatic beat, the family resets and begins to prepare a new meal. Meza’s digital colors under pencil and charcoal lines add texture and depth to Águila’s numerically driven narrative about a family experiencing life’s ups and downs together. A Spanish glossary and author’s note conclude. Ages 3–7. (Aug.)