Tyler Makes Spaghetti! (Tyler and Tofu)
The story starts at the Ristorante Italia, where Tyler indulges in his favorite entrée, spaghetti and meatballs. Chef Lorenzo invites Tyler to the kitchen the next day, and he and dog Tofu start by making pasta. Then it’s off to the country for juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and stinky onions and garlic. Giant cheese wheels encourage Tofu to take a spin on them. Once home, Tyler and his dad start making the tomato sauce, the meatballs, and, finally, the spaghetti. Yum! Except for ingredients, this is not too different from Tyler Makes Pancakes (2012), but the art here may be even better. Using a bright navy blue as an outline (and with plenty of red, white, and blue accents), Frazier’s visuals complement and extend the story. He adds humor as well, particularly in the form of Tofu, who is meatball crazy and will run with a spaghetti strand or juggle tomatoes (funniest is when he and Tyler make mustaches out of basil). The recipe and a fact sheet conclude. Even if the intended audience doesn’t want to cook themselves, they’ll be delighted by the story. Grades K-2. --Ilene Cooper