Francisco X. Alarcón, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez,
Laughing Tomatoes, and Other Spring Poems - Jitomates risuenos, y otros poemas de primavera.
Children's Book Press, 1997.

"A poem makes us see everything for the first time." Francisco Alarcón's epigraph to his vibrant picture book collection of twenty original poems holds the promise of discovery, and young readers will not be disappointed at what they find - poems that reminisce, delight and surprise.

Some of the poems, like "Other Voices," "Strawberries" and "Chile," are a mere handful of words, drops of water forming a small pool that reflects everyday items and occurrences in new and exciting ways. Other poems, like "My Grandmother's Songs," are a cascade of memories and observations as seen through the poet's passionate and exacting eye ("My grandmother's songs / ... consoling / the chairs placed / upside down / delighting / the family portraits / on the walls"). Some of the poems were written originally in Spanish and others in English.

All are presented in both languages and paired with Maya Christina Gonzalez's colorful artwork - imaginative, interpretive paintings that will conjure up a laugh, a smile, a moment (or more) of contemplation, just as the poems do.

Megan Schliesman
August 1997