Review by Booklist Review
Liu-Trujillo evokes the warmth of a father-son bond in this food and family story where a community comes together to create something delicious and healthy. One Saturday morning, Art's dad isn't feeling well, so they decide to gather ingredients for sick-fighting juice. In his precise, naturalistic watercolor artwork, Liu-Trujillo depicts the duo traversing the farmers' market in search of the perfect ingredients. In sweet, wholesome illustration and dialogue, Art and his community model living in a compassionate world full of realistic diversity, not only in individual people but in the variety of cultures represented in the community. Each stall and vendor brings a new food and its health benefits to explore, but Art and his dad strike out in what they're most hoping for: ginger. While feeling disappointed, they bump into Art's stepfather, which ends up solving more than one problem. Liu-Trujillo seamlessly and graciously offers a positive portrayal of a blended family, which may resonate with many. With a recipe included at the end, this heartwarming story emphasizes the healing power of fresh food and a strong community.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Daddy is indisposed, so Art, a Black boy, suggests they whip up some "sick-fighting juice" -- but alas, the refrigerator is devoid of fresh produce. The pair commutes to the city center where visits to the farmers' market, food co-op, and West African store prove fruitful (no pun intended), thanks to the lay advice of a multiethnic cast of community friends. When ginger root eludes them and a transportation hiccup leaves them stranded, Art's stepfather, Dhillon, unexpectedly comes to the rescue. Once at home, Art's stepfamily and their friends prepare and savor a juice remedy. Liu-Trujillo's straightforward text and understated watercolor illustrations affirm multiracial households and non-traditional family structures. A STEM element (Dhillon uses a human-powered bike blender) adds to the informativeness of this tale of community healing. A juice recipe is appended. (c) Copyright 2024. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Fruits, vegetables, and community help to cure a cold. Art, a Black boy, wants to play in the park, but Daddy is still in bed with a cold. Art suggests that they make some "sick-fighting juice" with ginger to heal Daddy. When Daddy finds no juice-making ingredients in the fridge, they take the train to the Saturday farmers market downtown. As they visit the market's vendors, no one has ginger, but everyone sells Daddy a fruit or vegetable that will help fight his cold. He buys carrots from Abbas, collards from Mrs. Johnson, Mexican cayenne from Maribel, apples from the co-op, and oranges from Mr. Abiodun, who just sold his last piece of ginger. When Daddy and Art find the train station closed, Art's stepfather, Dhillon, rides by on his bicycle and offers them the ginger he bought from Mr. Abiodun and a car ride back to the house where Dhillon and Art's Mama live and where several folks from the market have dropped by. Art makes juice in a juicer that Dhillon's bike powers, and they all enjoy some. The backmatter includes a recipe for Art's cold-clobbering juice. Liu-Trujillo's watercolor-esque illustrations add verve and specificity to each character and convey the closeness both of this extended family and the vibrant, predominantly Black and brown neighborhood in which they live. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A wonderful story of a community that takes care of its own. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
