Avocado Asks

December 1, 2020
Avocado's identity crisis--fruit or vegetable or what?!--leads to witty self-discovery. In her whimsical picture-book debut, British Japanese author and illustrator Abe transforms the humble grocery store into a stage of mirthful drama for Avocado. Nestled happily among other anthropomorphized produce, Avocado's contentment is shaken when it overhears a young customer wonder aloud, "Is an avocado a fruit or a vegetable?" What ensues is a tale that will entertain young readers for its witty wordplay as Avocado sets off around the supermarket trying to find out where (and to whom) it belongs. Having no luck in the seafood, canned goods, and dairy aisles, Avocado's despair is assuaged by a new friend: Tomato. "You don't know what you are? So what!" the plump, oft-miscategorized foodstuff opines. "Don't stew in your own juices. I'm a fruit, but no one believes me. And I. Don't. Care." Thanks to Tomato's wisdom-turned-cheerleading, Avocado learns that labels don't often fit everyone perfectly, but "who cares what we are when we're simply AMAZING?" Humans rarely feature in this food-centric tale, but when they appear, they have bright yellow or dark brown skin. Pairing Abe's sophisticated, graphic illustrations with themes of identity and self-confidence, this amusing book will tickle ribs and provoke thought in equal measure. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11.8-by-18.8-inch double-page spreads viewed at 18% of actual size.) What begins as a real pickle ends up as a charmingly fruitful journey. (Picture book. 5-10)

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February 1, 2021

PreS-K-Avocado is enjoying life in the supermarket, until one day they wonder: Are they a fruit or a vegetable? After being rejected by the fruits and veggies, the avocado goes to find what they are, and learns a bit about self-confidence along the way. In this story, Abe offers a delightful tale of finding one's place using objects and foods children are familiar with. The vocabulary is perfect for younger kids who can use the illustrations to help them read, and the text stands apart from the drawings. Text and design are so intertwined that the story feels like a young reader's graphic novel on some pages, providing visual context clues with the character's expressions and surroundings. The designs themselves are also pretty, with the main characters always being shown in contrast to the grocery section on display. Overall, Abe has created a nice trip to the grocery store about avocados, tomatoes, and confidence in oneself. VERDICT A delightful tale to help readers figure out where they belong, and, if a wise tomato is any indication, why that question may not even matter.-Margaret Kennelly, Media Specialist, Indian Head Elem. Sch., MD

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