Tummy Tales Series 

Twenty years ago with a grant from the Colorado Council of the Arts, Elizabeth Fajardo a  Jeffco PTA mother of seven and Carl Ruby the media specialist for Thomson Elementary in Arvada, CO,  published their first children's book,  Holy Mole Guacamole & Other Tummy Tales. The multi-cultural stories in the book highlighted traditional family food tales complete with recipes and a lot of humor. The goal at that time said Fajardo was to “create a book that all children from many different cultural backgrounds  could relate to. Family recipes proved to be  great common ground.” Ruby and Fajardo gleaned the stories and recipes both from their own family traditions and from residents of Denver's numerous ethnic neighborhoods. Foods featured in the book include everything from black-eyed peas and Italian pizzellas to matzo balls and Navajo tacos.  Ed Winagrad and illustrator Arlette Lucero complemented the team in 2002.

MSU Denver Chicana/o Studies Journey Through Our Heritage (JTOH) students helped compile these books, and support was provided by the Chicano Humanities Arts Council and the Colorado Folk Arts Council.

Holy Moly Guacamole

"Things changed like needles on a pine tree in spring. but the roots remained firmly planted in the rich dark.  she was dine.  she  had always been dine, she always would.  and as her tears fell she remembered more than she knew"

Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd

Pincha Lotta Enchiladas

"There are some things that can never be found once they are lost.  there are special things that are passed on from one generation to another.  they are things that cannot be held in your hand, things that must be held close to your heart."

Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd

Chilli Today, Hot Tamale

"But no matter how much time passes, some things remain constant.  They are things you can't see with your eyes.  they are the very breath of our existence.  The love between family and friends, the warmth that fills your heart when you feel the familiar glow and comfort of home, the realization that even as you love and remember the past, the future is open wide before you.  These things are the very soul of our existence."

Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd

Ole! Posole!

"I knew then that a new family leyenda had been born.  both the song and the soup would forever be etched in my memory. i knew that although times could be hard, there was 'ole!' it was a word of magic and hope and familia, a word to help us smile.  my extended family spanned many generations and came from many different places.  but 'ole!' meant the same thing for all of us. there is always a new day, a birthday, a new beginning, a new reason to rejoice."

Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd

Frijoles, Elotes, Y Chipotles, Oh My!

"Life is about perceptions. The glass is either half full or half empty. The cupboard may be bare but full of opportunity to fill it with.  When we think that things look desperate we have the ability to find the positive possibilities that exist"
Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd

Biscochitos for Mis Jitos

"Let us remember that every breath we take is a gift passed onto us by those who went before. Their humanity makes it possible that we may create a better, kinder, more compassionate world."
Lucy Lopez–Lucero (1920-2010)

Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd

No Pepperonis! Just Chicharrones!

"The most important thing to remember is that when we let in the possibility of change we are able to grow. There are many ways of cooking, and many ways of celebrating  familia. We honor our ancestors by passing down traditions. But we also honor them by being able to embrace  new ideas and new traditions. Each person must claim their unique identity as an individual. With an open mind and heart we create our future. As our circle of family and community expands, let us always remember we are a tapestry of all who came before and all who are yet to come." 
-Dr. Renee Fajardo 

Compiled by: Renee Fajardo & Carl Ruby  - Illustrated by Arlette Lucero -    Edited by Ed Winograd