¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat

Little Lobo #2

by Raúl the Third, Elaine Bay (Colorist)

Little Lobo returns to share his love of food and wrestling.

Little Lobo is excited to take in a show with wrestling star El Toro in his bustling border town. After getting lunch orders from The Bull and his friends to help prepare for the event, Little Lobo takes readers on a tour of food trucks that sell his favorite foods, like quesadillas with red peppers and Mexican-Korean tacos. Peppered with Latin-American Spanish vocabulary.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Latinx, Spanish Literature, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Raúl The Third is an award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in Boston. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican-American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid this simply wasn't my style. The illustrations are so bright and colorful, certainly evocative, but they were just too busy for me and I found some of the creatures a bit off-putting. I like the idea of celebrating food carts and the wonderful variety of foods, but it just felt too hectic for my taste. I also am not a fan of wrestling, so the big finale wasn't my cup of tea. I know this is a popular title and won the 2021 Pura Belpré Illustrator Medal, so I still encourage others to check it out as your response may be more favorable than mine.

I do have one side-note for young readers who are sensitive about body image: One of the wrestlers in the book appears to be a female pig and her name is "la Oink Oink" and her belt says OINK across her middle. I don't think any disrespect is meant by this, and I don't see anyone else pointing this out so maybe I'm just being overly sensitive, but I just found it rather an unfortunate choice, especially in a book celebrating food, that the only female wrestler is depicted as a pig, albeit a fairly buff one.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belpre Award winner.

A bit frenetic for me.

Little Lobo, his dog and friend pick up a bunch of food for the luchadores before the big show.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Lobo is back with his dog Bernabe and the Luchadore's manager, Kooky Dooky, the rooster, to grab pre-wrestling match food for the luchadores from the food truck community.
Let your mouth water from all of the delicious food, beverages and sweets that Lobo and his friends see and buy for lunch. They only have a limited time before the match to get everything so help Lobo and his friends find all of the wonderful food they're looking for.

The book does a fantastic job of introducing Mexican-based cuisine going beyond tacos and churros, community and culture into this fast-paced Pura Belpre winner for Illustration for 2021. One of my favorite moments in the book is the two page spread illustration (by Elaine Bay) showing off all of the food trucks and asking the reader where they should go first?

Also, let's be smart so we can bring back food trucks and food truck rallies, because this book would be such a fun experience in reality!

Lastly, if you're looking to expand your Spanish vocabulary, there's a helpful dictionary in the back of the book as well.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second Little Lobo book, join him, his dog Bernabé, and their friend Kooky Dooky as they visit different food trucks to find their favorite Mexican food before they go off to watch a wrestling match with their other friend el Toro.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Lobo delivers food to El Toro and his friends!

[Earliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

“!Vamos! Lets go Eat” is written by Raul The Third, a storyteller know for his vibrant illustration style. “Let's Go Eat" is a 2021 Pura Belpre award winner (where I learned about this book), and the second book in Raul’s Little Lobo (lobo is Spanish for wolf) series. In this graphic novel for students ages 8 to 12, we follow Little Lobo and his friends as they help out his local luchadores (Spanish word for wrestlers) by providing them with local food in preparation for their matches. One of the truly unique things about this story is that it highlights a type of food culture that American students may not experience, which is a food market that relies on food trucks and food carts. As Raul tells the story of the traditional foods found in Mexican food markets he also explains how these vendors rely on and support each other's businesses creating this self-sustaining ecosystem. It very nicely illustrates concepts like selflessness, giving, and sharing.

Now this is one book I did happen to read a couple reviews on before I actually read it. and one of the major criticisms of this illustrator is how jam-packed each page is with different images from the story. At one point I literally thought “These two page spreads look like reading a Where's Waldo book…” which are designed to be visually busy so that it makes it harder to find Waldo. This is ironic because after reading the eBook, I skimmed the Hoopla description of this book which states that “fans of ‘Where’s Waldo?' will love this series!”. And though I'm a visual learner, I have to agree that the jam packed double page spreads were too much for me at points.

The two page spreads presented so many different things going on, I had to consciously make myself start at the upper left corner of the page and just very slowly work back and forth across the page to make sure I didn't miss any action or important elements in the foreground well also reading and digesting the text. I actually don't know how I would teach this as a K through 5 educator besides taking some of those large spreads and breaking them down into smaller sections for us to focus on as we read through. As well, unlike a Where's Waldo book this is not a book you could just give a student to flip through and expect them to get a sense of the story from the images because there is a lot of text in Spanish. Most of the words have the English translations in the glossary at the back of the book and some are translated in each scene of the book. However it's not translated enough for a K-5 American student to read independently. This however could be a good text for an ESL student who speaks English and Spanish to read independently. I was able to remember enough high school Spanish to understand about 80 to 85% of the text without having to look up translations. In fact, as I got further along in the book I found myself reading the text out loud to help me sound out words and use context clues from the illustrations to figure out words—which are the kind of skills that we want ESL learners to be practicing just in reverse.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much detail! And I love the art style! This one took me a few sessions to get through because there's so much there. And I loved all of the Spanish/English! Some things are translated, but others aren't- and I really enjoy that. For people who know what the word means, they can keep reading- and if you don't know it, you look it up. That's how most books are, but with English speakers at an advantage. This one reverses that, and I think it's clever.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: Do not read this book on an empty stomach! This Vamos! book explores the world of food trucks. You remember Vamos! Let's Go to the Market, right? Little Lobo is charged with the task of getting lunch for wrestlers who are preparing for a big match. Lucky readers get to go along with Little Lobo while he collects a feast from the wide variety of food trucks. You need to have at least salsa and tortilla chips while you're reading. I wonder where Raul the Third will take us next...

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this more than ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market, probably because I liked all the food stuff. I also really liked all the jokes layered into the illustrations.

[alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raúl the Third's illustrations are detailed whimsical treasures, and Elaine Bay's colors are festive and delightful! I wish we had all these books in print rather than reading them on a tablet so we could see everything more clearly. The style is like Richard Scarry meets Rocko's Modern Life in Mexico, and the drool-inducing dishes featured in this installment are the icing on the cake. Love! Plus I can't say Armor Dillo without cracking up.

[Brenda Kahn]

I was such a fan of Vamos! Let's Go to Market and so excited to visit with Little Lobo, Bernabé and even the tiny cockroach. And, FOOD TRUCKS! A feast for the eyes and a book that kids will love to return to again and again to spot details in the very busy art. Highly recommended.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is SO GOOD! Vibrant, detailed, and full of life!

[LizSnoopyfan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story for kids! Loved the glossary in the back, so kids can learn about food and engage themselves in another culture

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the Market :(

[jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous! Lots of great details. My family loves this illustrator.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like a Where's Waldo of Mexican food. Don't read on an empty stomach or you're gonna want all the food, tacos, burritos, churros, tamales, pan dulce, salsa, elote..... Yummmm! Fun illustrations.

[Casle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a blast. Jafar loved it. Especially Kooky Dooky. So much fun with the different food and crazy characters. As a whole there isn't a lot of story, the joy is in the details.

[Harlie Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Vamos, let’s go eat!” By Raul the Third,
Is about a fox named Lobo who owns a food truck and the adventures he experiences with his friends and mew acquaintances. The best experience he gets to go through is providing his food truck for LUCHA LIBRE (star wrestler in his town), and LUCHA Libre’s amigos who also wrestle as well. We see colorful illustrations of the characters (the animals), what they serve for food, their environment, and what their food trucks look like. The illustrations of the characters are strikingly similar to how Walt Disney illustrated his characters such and Mini and Mickey, especially the eyes. Along with the colorful illustrations, everything is explained in detail about what is going on in the situation that Lobo goes through. Especially food origins and what the food is made for (special occasions/holidays). As you read, you are talking to the audience in both English and Spanish phrases, but whatever is said in Spanish is repeated in English.
I would use this specifically if my school were to be a dual language program school, or even just read for fun since about 75% of my students are of Latino heritage and have a lot of younger siblings. I think they would enjoy this, even if they are older individuals.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibrant, joyful and delicious.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Lobo has a new bike, and is excited to see his favorite wrestler in action. But first he must go to several food trucks to pick up food for all the wrestlers so they can eat before the big match. So Little Lobo and his faithful dog Bernabe' ride on Little Lobo's new bike and deliver a multitude of different delicious food to the arena before enjoying the matches.

[Yentl ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Este libro me encanta! It is filled with such great illustrations just like the first book. And the food!! ¡La comida! It is exactly the food you’d expect to find in Mexico and I love that. Everything from fruta picada to atole. Every page is filled with color and little surprises!

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please more bilingual picture books like this one!
I am SO GRATEFUL for the existence of traditional bilingual picture books, but there are issues. Sometimes they drag because of translation, sometimes the story works in one language better than the other (we have a copy of Stick & Stone where the English rhymes but the Spanish doesn't and it's less fun to read,) or they have other issues. Enter Vamos, a book where characters speaking both languages just...talk.
Most Spanish phrases have an in text translation...but some don't. And vice versa. And it's okay because with amazing double spreads of the most delicious of food truck scenes the author here understands that it's okay if you don't understand every single word being said...like in the real world...and that kids and families who speak either language (or both) have seen and been to scenes like this and it's delightful. These animals...Little Lobo the wolf and Kooky Dooky the rooster are off to get their friends some food before the big wrestling match and there's so much to choose from. This is just awesome and amazing and delightful and I want more more more please.
A partial glossary is in the back but the author makes it clear not every word is defined and encourages kids to look up what they don't know in a Spanish English dictionary. I love it. It's just...this is how language works.

[Jackie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vamos! Let’s Go Eat is an immersive story that takes its readers on a journey full of authenticity and flavor. Winner of the Belpre Medal for Youth Illustration in 2021, this story does not fail to entertain readers with its fun storyline and gorgeous illustrations. Little Lobo and his friends are tasked with getting lunch orders for the wrestlers in the Lucha Libre show performing that night. The story follows Little Lobo as he collects orders for the wrestlers and then takes us on a tour of all the authentic, and delicious, food he picks up in the luchador. The story shows love and devotion to Mexican food as Little Lobo goes around to each vendor that already knows the exact orders of their customers. In the end, they all gather for a delicious meal before the show.

I found this book using the Wakelet resource for this course’s module. I researched different books on the Pura Belpre Medal list of winners on ala.org. I accessed this story digitally on Epic! Books. Whie I enjoyed listening to the story and watching it come alive on the screen, I found it to be a little over-stimulating at times. The illustrations were in constant motion and there was music playing in the background throughout the entirety of the book. While these additions encourage readers to be fully immersed in the book, I can see this also being a little distracting at times - especially since it was about 24 minutes long. However, I don’t want this to deter from the story itself. I enjoyed the story and can see this being a great resource in any classroom library.

There are various learning activities that can be used with this book such as studying the significance of Luche Libres in Mexican culture. Students can also compare and contrast the difference between foods that are popular in American culture versus food that is popular in Mexican culture. A personal favorite of mine is also conducting a lesson with students about how to write a letter. The story opens with Little Lobo receiving a letter from El Toro asking him to deliver lunch to the wrestlers. Overall, I think this is a fun story that can be shared with children of all ages, but I would primarily focus on using this book with P-2nd students.

[Tyler Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children’s Lit Assignment

Raúl the Third’s “¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat” follows Little Lobo as he gathers traditional Mexican foods for the Lucha Libres that are preparing for a big fight. Little Lobo goes from food truck to food truck, showing readers the authentic food truck experience, and informs the reader what each truck makes. Each of the Luchadores has a special request for Little Lobo and he does his best to get everyone exactly what they ask for before returning to eat with the group. Little Lobo and his friends are asked to stay and watch the match.

Raúl the Third was born in El Paso, Texas but he spent his childhood bouncing between there and his mother’s hometown of Juárez, Mexico. He is a three time Pura Belpré winner. This book is his most recent Pura Belpré winner. It won in 2021. This book is a great example of diversity in children’s literature. Raúl does a brilliant job of showcasing parts of Latino culture through his illustrations. Mixing Spanish vocabulary into the text in his book, people can appreciate the book in the language of the people it represents. Tokenism and stereotypes are not present. If the author had not been someone of Latin descent, there may have been some grounds for claiming stereotypes. This book is a beautiful showcase of Latin food culture and the illustrations are truly mouth watering.

[Saritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I have to say that the cover of this book is its warning label: It will make you hungry as it invites you to eat with its beautiful images by Raúl the Third and color work by Elaine Bay.

This is the book to share with friends, family, colleagues, anyone who shares your delight with food, especially those authentic Mexican foods you don't get to experience outside of Mexico and its surrounding areas. But it's also a visual delight in the way Raúl the Third incorporates so much on the page without feeling overwhelming. You can look at the images over and over and find new words and images you likely missed on your first, second, or many re-reads. The play on Spanish words (Cantinflan, Circle Que Take It E-Z) and the homage to Mexican favorites make this a fun, and educational read... that will have your stomach rumbling like Toro's and his amigos luchadores. RUMBLE! RETUMBO!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡vamos! Let’s Go Eat by Raul the Third and colors by Elaine Bay is the 2021 Pura Belpre Illustrator Award winner. This book features Little Lobo while he uses his new bike to assist him in making food deliveries to el Coliseo for Los luchadores (wrestlers) before their big match. Once Little Lobo meets and takes lunch orders from the luchadores, he ventures out to all of the food trucks who have gathered for the event. Raul the Third skillfully takes the reader on a culinary tour while using easily understandable Latin-American Spanish vocabulary. The reader is exposed to so many delicious culinary items, from drinks to main courses to desserts. The format of the book feels more like a graphic novel or old-school comic than a typical picture book which is a fun way to engage the reader. The colors are vibrant and the images are action-packed and filled with bi-lingual text. In the end, Little Lobo is rewarded for his efforts by getting special tickets to the luchadores wrestling match to enjoy with friends. The book includes a food glossary but there is a disclaimer that not all of the words that are found in the story are listed, and the reader is encouraged to look up any ones that they do not know in a Spanish-English dictionary.

[Lizbeth Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright year: 2019
Award: Children's lit
Genre: Pura Belpre
Summary:"Vamos! Let's Go Eat" is part of the "Vamos!" series, it takes readers on a culinary journey with Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe in a vibrant food truck adventure. As Little Lobo receives lunch orders from The Bull and his friends, the book invites readers to join a tour of food trucks, discovering delectable treats such as quesadillas with red peppers and Mexican-Korean tacos. Through the story, you are introduced to a variety of foods and cultures, celebrating the diverse cuisines found in a lively food market
Use in the classroom:
"Vamos! Let's Go Eat" can be used in the classroom to teach children about different types of food and culture, making them curious and wanting to explore more cultures. It's an engaging way to introduce concepts of diversity and inclusivity, and teachers can incorporate discussions or activities related to food and its importance in cultures.
My thoughts: I thought this story was really cute and fun to read. I liked how it included some spanish words in the book it would be a great way to teach your class some new words.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

In college on Sunday evenings, our food commons were closed. My roommates and I rarely had enough cash between us to get a single pizza. We would lie in bed on those nights calling out our favorite foods and dine on an imaginary feast.

For far too long, for millions and millions of people around our planet, these same thoughts occupy the minds, on a daily basis, of those without food, incomes or the ability to leave their homes in safety to shop at markets. Now it is an enormous global phenomenon with the numbers climbing daily due to the impact of the pandemic. Yet, when they are able, people are posting on social media a plethora of recipes and anecdotes about creating home-cooked meals and baking from scratch. And in the midst of this a book radiating pure bliss, brimming with color and a cast of enduring characters, is published. VAMOS!: Let's Go Eat (Versify, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March 24, 2020), companion to VAMOS!: Let's Go to the Market, written and illustrated by Raul the Third with colors by Elaine Bay is the newest adventure of Little Lobo, his dog, Bernabe, and their friend, Kooky Dooky. It's a mouth-watering exploration of their community's enticing edibles told using a melodious mix of Spanish and English language.

My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vamos! Let's Go Eat is an Pura Belpre` Award winner. In the Spanish/English translated text, a big wrestling match was going on that night at the coliseum. The main event sent a message to Little Lobo to have their food delivered to the Coliseo before lunchtime because they were very hungry. Little Lobo, Kooky Dooky, and their animal friends plan on getting the food from the many food trucks that were headed to the stadium as well. The artistic style is as a cartoon with the bubble clouds holding the Spanish and English versions of the text. However, the names on the food trucks and some of the food are all in Spanish. The friends go to every familiar food truck to get all the possible meals that the customers may want. Because of this, they received free tickets from El Toro to watch the show. The author also included a glossary in the back of the book so the readers can look up the definition in English. I will use this picture book with my ELL students whose first language is not English and for English speaking students to pronounce the Spanish words correctly.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Lobo, his dog Bernabé, and his friend Kooky Dooky are asked by the luchadores to get them food before their big show. The three of them gather tasty treats from the food trucks and carts that have gathered outside the wrestling venue.

If you like Mexican food, you will not want to pick this up when hungry unless you're looking for inspiration about what to eat. Lobo and Kooky really load up on all sorts of goodies for the luchadores and even though I had just eaten lunch this was making me hungry. The phrases in Spanish used throughout the story are translated into English (the character says it in Spanish and then English) but the food names are not translated. There's a glossary in the back of the book where you can look things up, but otherwise you get to practice your Spanish food vocabulary while reading. This is a very entertaining way to learn your Spanish food words.