ALICIA'S FRUITY DRINKS / LAS AGUAS FRESCAS DE ALICIA

The fruit-blended juice drinks known as aguas frescas offered at a fair inspire a little girl and her mother to serve their own version after soccer practice.

Alicia really likes the taste of these fruit drinks and learns from her mother that they can easily be made at home with a blender, fresh fruit, ice cubes and water. Mimicking the aguas frescas stand with all its flavors, they try out strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon and pineapple. Alicia wonders if sugar should be added to the recipe, but mother says that the fruit itself provides enough sweetness and is much healthier than sodas. When a soccer teammate needs testing for diabetes, Alicia’s invitation to have the team over for her fruity drinks also encourages everyone to avoid drinking the canned soda by trying a delicious substitute. The dual English/Spanish text is augmented by summery scenes in opaque, rich colors. The not-so-subtle message that diabetes, sugar and lack of exercise can all be related adds a didactic, cautionary tone to the otherwise pleasant story of sisterhood through soccer.

The simplicity of the suggested idea that homemade fruit juice will always be fun to make and delicious to drink is appealing.