Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa: Join the Quest with Peru's Famed Scientist and Potato Expert

Ages 4 to 8

This picture book biography and ode to conservation and science follows Peruvian agronomist Alberto Salas and his hunt for wild potatoes before they go extinct, illustrated by Caldecott-honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.

High up in the Andes mountains of Peru, agricultural scientist Alberto Salas is on a quest. A quest... for potatoes.

Up and down the Andes mountains he goes, playing an epic game of paka paka con la papa, potato hide and seek. Finding each and every last potato so he can save them before they go extinct.

The world depends on his work, and as global warming gets worse, the climate will only continue to change — Alberto doesn't have a second to waste. The game is on!

Alberto races and peers and prods. Drives and trods and climbs. Will he find the potato he seeks? Will he win the game of paka paka con la papa?

Author Sara Andrea Fajardo’s spirited biography about “the godfather of potatoes” is paired with lush, playful art by Caldecott-honoree Juana Martinez-Neal to capture how celebrated scientist Alberto Salas brings joy, curiosity, and fun to his very important, life-changing work.

About the Author

Sara A. Fajardo grew up in Salinas, California, and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, with her husband, two children, and very playful cat. sarafajardowrites.com

Juana Martinez-Neal’s debut as an author-illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, was awarded a Caldecott Honor. For her other work, Juana has won a Robert F. Sibert Medal and a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. She lives in Connecticut with her family. juanamartinezneal.com