JOSEFINA'S HABICHUELAS / LAS HABICHUELAS DE JOSEFINA

Gather around with Josefina’s family for the best habichuelas con dulce.

When Mami suggests that Josefina give up her cherished sugary foods for Lent—a vow of 40 days and 40 nights—the young sweets lover initially balks at the idea. “I can’t give up sweets for that long!” School, of course, proves difficult to endure due to her nonobservant friends’ continued enjoyment of cookies, candies, and cupcakes. And all in front of Josefina! So Mami comes up with an idea: Josefina will help carry on the family tradition by learning how to make habichuelas con dulce (Josefina’s favorite dessert) for Easter. As Josefina and Mami prepare the beans, a doorbell rings. It’s Tía Yesenia, Tía Xiomara, and Abuela! Cooking habichuelas con dulce becomes a family affair, with a story from Abuela, lots of sugar and spices, and a whole lot of love. In her first picture book, Mendez wonderfully showcases the numerous ways that food brings Latinx—in this case, Dominican—families and communities together. Presented in both English and Spanish (via Espinosa’s translation), the author’s text forgoes flair for simple earnestness in a manner that highlights the book’s themes. Likewise, De Vita’s cozy pictures provide plenty of ideal images of family, with a diverse range of skin tones from light brown to dark brown. A stirring author’s note and a recipe for habichuelas con dulce wrap up a pretty sweet tale.

A delicious treat.