It’s all a matter of what you’re used to, Sumac supposes. Like, Isabella’s Colombian, so she loves that disgusting cake they soak in evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream.”
-- Sumac (Chapter 1: The Dormant Grandfather)

Importance: This quote foreshadows a key theme of the novel: that expectations can dictates one’s experiences and sway one’s perception. Sumac notes that Isabella dislikes PapaDum’s healthy meals, for the same reason that Grumps dislikes them – they contain unfamiliar and exotic ingredients. However, she enjoys a food that Sumac considers disgusting because it is a cultural dish that was prevalent throughout her childhood. This simple observation about food can be extended to all aspects of Sumac’s life: Grumps dislikes Toronto, the animals, and the Lotterys’ excursions because he finds them unfamiliar on, his words, “hippy-dippy.” Thus, Sumac’s quote present foreshadowing, but in a subtle manner because it comes from an unexpected realm of Sumac...