“Delectable prose and jewel-toned illustrations come together as a young narrator counts down until a bunch of plantains are ripe enough for eating. . . rich, saturated colors . . . create a domestic world filled with flowers and produce, amplifying the sensory-rich storytelling.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review

Celebrate the power of food to create delicious, lasting memories with this poetic and playful exploration of the joy of waiting for, and finally sharing, fried plantains.
 
Much like there is sweet treasure hidden beneath the skin of a plantain, this beautifully written and evocative story reaches far beyond the act of preparing a favorite food. Ripening Time celebrates the way food and family entwine to connect us across generations—and serves as a touching reminder that some of the sweetest rewards in life are worth the wait.

Please visit HERE to pre-order and learn more.

Support Patrice's local indie bookstores with your order . . .

(asked them for a signed copy)

Yes, ordering the book is so fabulously helpful (thank you!), but there are plenty of other ways you can offer support, including suggesting your public library purchase a copy . . .

about the illustrator

Carlos Vélez Aguilera is a professional illustrator and graduate of the National School of Plastic Arts at the National University Autonomous of Mexico. He has illustrated for books, magazines, and animation projects, and is also the author and illustrator of a graphic novel called Salón Destino. Carlos sketches in pencil and ink, then colors his work digitally.

About the Author

Patrice Gopo is the child of Jamaican immigrants and was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She is an award-winning essayist and author of the picture book All the Places We Call Home. Patrice lives with her family in North Carolina, where one taste of fried plantains immediately takes her back to some of the sweetest moments in her childhood. Please visit patricegopo.com to learn more.