I am absolutely in love with this delightful new picture book. Jesus is super excited because today he is going with Papa to work as a gardener and, even more exciting, he is in charge of the magical water-jug clock! When the big orange jug is almost empty, it will tell them it's time to go home. They say goodbye to Mama, heading off to her own job, gloves, mop, and cleaning supplies in hand, and they are off. As they mow, clip, tidy, and edge, little Jesus finds it's hot work, not just for him but for the animals he meets. He's surprised and delighted when the magical water jug says it's time to come home - but devastated when Papa admits it's not magical - and they still have eleven houses to go!
Some comforting words from Papa, a quick pit stop and refill of the jug, and the two are off to their next house, Jesus having learned from his wise Papa that "Time and water are precious." and feeling confident in his bond with his father.
Kinkz' hilarious illustrations start with the endpages, depicting Papa as a luchador in a dozen different costumes, "El Mower," "Gutter Governor," or "Super Sodder." Jesus, a stocky little boy with messy swirl of curls, bounces his parents awake, hugs his light-skinned mother, and watches his darker-skinned father, with a mustache and mess of curls like his, put on his boots, belt, and hat to get ready for the day. Imagination and his Papa's efforts to make the work day fun are shown everywhere, from the old rope holding the tools labeled "van security" to Jesus imagining the tall shrubs they are trimming as skinny monsters. Even when things get serious, Papa is kind and understanding, explaining "This job, our family business, is hard, hard work. But work is easier when you can play and have fun at the same time."
This is both a celebration of hard work and the father-son bond. The story is sprinkled with Spanish words and many of the houses they visit have families with Spanish names. The story is a little lengthy for younger children, but it would be easy to shorten it and make it accessible. It is also available in a Spanish edition.
Verdict: This is a great portrait of a family where both parents have service jobs, in landscaping and cleaning, and take pride in their work even though it is hard. I am thrilled to see more books that not only showcase the lives of Hispanic, working class families, but do so in a humorous and joyful way. Highly recommended.
ISBN: 9781662651045; Published June 2023 by Minerva; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library
No comments:
Post a Comment