I have been holding onto over 1000 emails that have at least one online reader copy. At least one of those had four. I was skimming the titles, looking at the links… nope nope nope…. Delete, save, nope nope, next time…. Until I came to Family Poems for Every Day of the Week : Poemas familiares para cada dia de la semana.
The other books were a mix of genres, but this said “Poems.” Okay, that is what I need. Something short and hopefully fun. And it was both. However, Francisco X. Alarcón did not let me off easily. Oh no! They had to swat me upside the head with some of the most sweet, touching poems about the days of the week. Okay, how does one make Monday a fun and touching poem? Well, it might not be easy, but Alarcon does it. Starting with Sunday, we mix the legends of the stars, plants, moons and suns and tie it to something the narrator(s) are talking about. I say narrators, as the images make it look like more than one person speaking, but it is also possible it is just one.
With that said, it is about the connection between the days of the week and the feelings, hopes, dreams, expectations, family and so much more. School friends can help stop the blues of a bad day, Sunday and stories of how grandpa met grandma in Mexico close a busy week, Friday is time for family helping each other and the neighborhood and Saturday is for play. These all come together by quirky, funky, colorful, bold, fun illustrations by Maya Gonzalez. They are both artistic and realistic, but not real.
The best part is that each poem is given twice, once in Spanish and once in English. I could only read the English versions, but would like to hear them recited in Spanish. Relatable and representation come together to make an any time book, but one that works well for older children and the classroom. As I read via the online reader, I am not sure of the final format, but it is currently available and you can let me know!