Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas

PreS-Gr 2–The same team behind Papá’s Magical Water-Clock Jug has returned with this just as poignant and hilarious companion title. Single child Jesús is bored with no sibling to play with and tries to fill his time by “helping” his mother clean while she watches her novela. Mama entrusts him to look after her magnificent house plants. He is so excited to be a “big brother.” The boy waters the plants, gives them “haircuts” tells them jokes, and holds a dance party to cheer up his mom’s beloved Golden Pothos plant. When Jesús’s exuberant dance moves result in a broken pot and spilled plant, the boy is devastated. Instead of disappointment and anger, his parents lovingly assure him that something positive can come from our mistakes and help us grow. Once again, Trejo’s respect for his child audience and the pitch-perfect narrative will resonate with kids. Young readers will identify Jesús’s logic—of, course a dance party is the pick-me-up that his plant siblings need. They will also giggle as he imagines the Pothos’s plants funeral and frets about not having clothes to wear. Kinz’s accompanying illustrations ground the humor of this tale, filling the family’s home with Mexican American touchstones and charmingly complementing the comical text. The vivid images and bright palette, done with pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, crayons, and a few drops of queso add to this pitch-perfect offering.