Why Are You Doing That?

by Elisa Amado, Manuel Monroy (Illustrator)

Chepito is full of questions. Why is his mother cooking eggs and frying beans? Why is Manuel digging around the corn? Why is Ramón milking the cow? Why is Maria slapping dough between her hands? In this simply told story, a little boy learns all about food and where it comes from.

Following on the success of What Are You Doing? Elisa Amado and Manuel Monroy have created another gem of a picture book, this time about food — where it comes from, how we nurture food plants and animals, and what we eat to be healthy and strong.

Manuel Monroy sweetly depicts Chepito’s world — a rural community where people grow much of their own food and raise chickens and cows — giving young children a clear picture of the origins of foods they consume every day.

Includes a short glossary.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Family, Latinx, Cultural, International

28 pages, Hardcover

First published June 10, 2014

About the author

Elisa Amado is a native of Guatemala who now lives and works in eastern Canada. In addition to writing stories for the early grades based upon her own multicultural experiences, she has also served as a translator for both Spanish and Zapotec authors who craft tales for young children. In her dual roles as writer and translator, Amado has expanded the number of Central American folk tales available to an English-speaking audience.

Reviews

[Audrey Browning]

This book really taught me a lot so I know it would teach kids a lot too!! It showed kids that it is good to ask questions and to be curious and wonder things! When you ask questions you learn brand new things everyday and it will expand your mind! This book also had a lot of Spanish words in it and at the end of the book it showed what the Spanish words meant which I thought was very interesting and really helpful for me and the students!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inquisitive Chepito might remind some readers of their own children. As he goes throughout his day, he keeps asking everyone he encounters for the reasons for their actions. Each person, from his mother to a neighbor lying beneath a banana tree, explains how his/her actions result in good food for Chepito to eat. I especially liked he observes how the individuals are taking good care of their animals and crops. The digital illustrations originated as drawings created with color pencil and watercolor. This simple title provides excellent information about how we get our meals. In a world centered around fast foods, that's an important reminder.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for young children who like to ask "why?"

Starting at breakfast, Chepito asks questions of the people in his rural Latin American community as they go about their daily tasks: weeding the corn, milking the cow, making tortillas, etc. The book also includes a glossary of the Spanish terms used.

Notes on representation: Latinx characters throughout.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice that it's about people who really do still live closer to a family farm. It is important for kids to know something about where food comes from. But I found this little story didn't say more than a board book could have, if there had been fewer words to convey the same concepts.

[Julie Gazca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw the cover and it reminded me of my nephew. Such an inquisitive little character, and it warmed my heart. Plus, it revolved almost exclusively around food, so you know, yay.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A curious child asks neighbors about their chores and learns how they connect to the things he eats.

[Caroline K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chepito is curious and asks each person he meets about why they are doing their activities. He learns about all the work that goes into bringing to the table the simple food he eats for breakfast.

[Sarah Limb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it was cute that they entertained all of his questions but I couldn’t see what they were trying to and where it was supposed to go. Just kind of fell flat.

[Gael Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to a 4 than a 2.

[Clara Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro onde o menino aprende muito

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious and adorable Chepito takes us on a tour of a farm which will make you hungry for tortillas and fresh milk. Amado seamlessly includes Spanish words for children to understand from context.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inquisitive Chepito wants to know what everything is for . . . so in the course of a day he learns about corn, beans (frijoles), milk and bananas (and more.) Good for a preschool storytime on food or farms.

Amado was born in Guatemala and lives in Toronto. Illustrator Manuel Monroy lives in Mexico City. The book definitely has a central American flavor (hard for me to say if setting is more like Mexico or Guatemala, or could be either?) "Illustrations were done digitally starting with drawing in color pencil and watercolor."

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is good for children who are learning about food and how people work hard to make plants and animals grow strong so that they can provide food for people to grow big and strong. I liked the multicultural element of the story. Better suited for very young readers.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious boy gets all his questions answered in this story. He learns about the plants and animals that provide his food and how things get made and prepared. Some text is in Spanish and the definitions are in the back.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The relentlessly inquisitive Chepito is back with many questions about what people are doing in his rural community.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quaint glimpse into this rural community.