Module 5: Chato's Kitchen

(Photo courtesy of Amazon.com)

Summary: Chato is a stereotypical cat from East Los Angeles. He has decided to invite his neighbors over for a dinner, they are a family of ratoncitos (mice). Chato, along with his cat friend Novio Boy, plan the meal as the mice plan their meal. The mice bring along a friend from their old barrio, Chorizo, and dachshund dog.

APA: Soto, G. (1997). Chato's Kithcen. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Review: Soto (Too Many Tamales) commands a poet's gift for defining characters quickly, densely and, in this case, with hilariously choice words. Paired with Guevara's (The Boardwalk Princess) wickedly funny, urban paints, Soto's story of Chato, a cool, ``low-riding cat'' of East Los Angeles, is a scream. Chato and his friend Novio Boy plan a dinner for (and, they hope, of) the new mice next door. But the mice bring a surprise guest named Chorizo (sausage), who turns out to be a truly low-riding dachshund. Foiled, the cats resign themselves to mouseless fajitas. It's a basic enough tale, but close to brilliant in its execution. Guevara's cats are delicious send-ups of barrio characters, and Soto's words glisten with wit: ``We brought Chorizo,' Mami mouse called./ Sausage! Chato and Novio Boy danced, and with clean paws they gave each other a `low-four.'"" Salud to this magical pairing of talents. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

Citation: N.a. "Children's book review: Chato's Kitchen." Publisher Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22658-8

Library Use: This book would be a great edition for librarians to talk about animals and even customs and cultural aspects of Latino families. Although slightly stereotypical, it is still a fun representation.