We all know that the unexamined life is not worth living (according to Socrates), but Momoko Abe takes this one step further, extending examination to the lives of produce—with humorous results.
Avocado was feeling just fine in the fruit and vegetable aisle of the supermarket.
Life was pretty simple. No doubts.
No questions. No confusion…
until one day a small customer pointed and asked…
“Is an AVOCADO a fruit or a vegetable?“
“Hmm, I’m not sure, sweetie.
When we get home, we’ll look it up.”
Suddenly Avocado’s world turned upside down.
Fruit?
Vegetable?
Avocado didn’t know the answer either.
Oh, how an innocent question can throw one’s world into turmoil!
Avocado wonders, WHAT AM I??
And heads out into the supermarket on a quest to discover its identity.
This book is filled with wry (and occasionally laugh-out-loud humor) and a perfect ending.
The reader never does find out whether an avocado is a fruit or a vegetable—after all, that’s what the Internet is for—but it doesn’t matter. Because, all joking aside, the point is really to feel comfortable in your own skin and confident in your own awesomeness, no matter how others may “classify” you.
Abe’s illustrations personifying produce and other foods, entertaining puns, and perfectly timed page turns make this a lively read aloud.
Activities:
Smash up some guacamole using this recipe. What foods do you like to add avocado to? What main or side dishes do you like that contain tomatoes? What main or side dishes contain both?
Take the challenge on the last page of the book, and find out how other foods like nuts, mushrooms, jalapeños, dandelion leaves, and rhubarb are classified.
Learn the scientific difference between fruits and vegetables in this video.
Title: Avocado Asks
Author/Illustrator: Momoko Abe
Publisher: DoubleDay Books for Young Readers, 2021
Ages: Pre-K – 5th grade
Themes: Identity, self-confidence, STEM
For more perfect picture book recommendations, please visit Susanna Hill’s website.
Jilanne Hoffmann 
Oh I love it! An introspective avocado — haha!
Call it an identity crisis for avocados, LOL. But as with any good picture book, the underlying theme is presented effectively!
What a fun book to help kids understand how important identity is. Sounds like the illustrations are very entertaining! Love what you shared! Great choice today!
Thanks, Patricia! Yes, and about not letting others tell you what you are.
This lead me to look up the word origin for avocado. When you look it up, let me know how long you laughed out loud!
Holy guacamole! Snicker snicker. The Aztecs were fairly descriptive…and the Spaniards turned it into a word meaning “avocate”….very interesting, LOL….
Wait till poor Avocado overhears two people discussing how much they enjoy eating it…
😱
This sounds equally hysterical and profound. I look forward to reading this one. Thanks, Jilanne.
I think that’s an apt description. I think you’ll like it Maria.
I shall have to have a lengthy convo with the avocado in the kitchen. I think she’s a fruit (seed, ya know?) and she thinks she’s… guacamole. This is just an all around fun book! Thanks for sharing.
Let me know how that convo goes, LOL. Yes, that seed is front and center, and I’m thinking that there are quite a few pint size folks who will find this a memorable, thought-provoking question.
I think this is one of those “I can’t believe no one thought of this question before” books, and an “I wish I’d thought of this” one. At least I get to read & enjoy it. And the next time I shop, I’ll be wondering what other fruits & veg are in the midst of an identity crisis and yearning for their own picture books!
LOL, Yes!!!! And all that angst distracting us from remembering what’s on our list at the grocery store.
Ah… I am always ready for a humorous read! I just love Socrates’ ways of life and will definitely give this book a try!
You are an amazing reviewer! Thanks for sharing😀
Thank you for your kind words. I think you’ll find it an enjoyable read!