"On rainy Sunday mornings when Mama pulls out her tall, dark soup pot with tiny white spots, we know it will be a caldo day. Caldo, caldo, caldo." The kids know they are in for a special treat when Mama begins preparing her delicious beef vegetable soup. Mama's caldo "fills up a warm spot inside us," and stops the sniffles, softens a cough, settles the stomach, and soothes a backache. It even massages tired feet!
The children lick their lips in anticipation as she chops onions, garlic, potatoes, turnips, carrots, corn, and celery. Then it's off to the tortilla store to help Papa bring home the warm tortillas that will complement the delicious caldo perfectly. The tortillas are so hot, and the children are so hungry, that they can't resist. "One, Papa, please?" they beg on the way home.
Popular children's book author Diane Gonzales Bertrand's rhythmic narrative, combined with Alex Pardo DeLange's colorful illustrations, captures a warm-hearted family ritual shared by many cultures. Sip, Slurp, Soup, Soup / Caldo, caldo, caldo transforms a common everyday meal into a captivating family celebration and will charm children and adults alike. It also includes an easy caldo recipe that can be used by children, parents, and teachers.
