"There were so many new things to eat
and not a cold fish in sight.
Umami would eat it all.
"Get ready, belly. We have work to do."
The work was good.
Umami ate salty foods full of flavor. Each bite made her
mouth water and made her thirsty for water all at once."
If you have young children whose diet is limited by what they are willing to try, you will empathize with Umami. Along with the rest of her penguin village, all she ever eats are cold fish. She is tired of it; even her birthday cake is a cold fish with a celebratory candle stuck in it. Umami is ready for adventure - and new food.
The first few days at sea are rough. When her nose finally senses new and delightful smells, Umami disembarks and sets out to find something new. She tries salty, sour, bitter, sweet and finally her namesake foods.
"Umami foods were meaty and savory
and also too easy to gobble up.
But spicy foods had more than taste.
Spice had punch. Spice had power.
Spice was adventure."
Exhilarated by her travels and eager to share the new tastes she loves, she heads home. Unsure about how she will be received, she pushes on and provides a feast for all. No cold fish anywhere. The other penguins are doubtful. Hunger provides the motivation to give the new foods a try. Umami can barely contain her worry and curiosity; everyone is so quiet. They eat every bite with gusto and praise for Umami's provisions. They all want MORE. Unfortunately, every scrap of food Umami has brought back with her is gone.
Hopefully her adventure has provided inspiration for what is to come next. What might you do with cold fish? Engaging oil pastel monoprint and colored pencil images hold attention and fill Umami with a sense of adventure as she explores new tastes and then returns to her village to share what she has learned.
I wonder if any of the foods prepared by Umami will hold interest for your picky eater.
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