THE LAST TAMALE

A Latine boy goes up against his family in a three-round battle for the last tamale.

Luis loves getting together with his family for a tamalada: a tamale-making party. It’s a fun tradition; even the dog wants a bite. As the family enjoys the treats, Abuelita tells Luis that the recipe isn’t written down but that the secret ingredient is love. Luis’ father asks, “Who wants the last one?” Luis, his brother, Jacob, and his cousin, Letty, all do! A Tamale Battle ensues. Letty’s eliminated during the dance round. Next up is a lucha libre match. Jacob’s a great luchador, but Luis’ dance skills help him dodge his brother—and put him in a headlock. Time for the final round: Luis must arm-wrestle Abuelita! It isn’t easy, but whenever Luis finds himself struggling, he focuses on the wonderful smell and taste of the tamales. At last, Luis wins. But there’s one more competitor he wasn’t considering! Explosively bright colors and fantastical sequences (Luis and Jacob facing off in a wrestler’s ring, Abuelita appearing suddenly out of a cloud of smoke) ramp up the humor and the drama. Details in the artwork—paintings on the wall, a blanket on the couch—add to the intimate flavor. A third-generation Mexican American, Mendiola concludes with an author’s note discussing his own family’s experiences with making tamales, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A fun, sweet—and savory—celebration of family and culture.