Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems: Los Angeles Andan Bicicletas

A bilingual collection of poems by a renowned Mexican-American poet revisits and celebrates his childhood memories of fall in the city and growing up in Los Angeles. By the creators of Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems. 10,000 first printing.

Grade 1-4-A delightful and colorful collection of bilingual poems from the author of Laughing Tomatoes & Other Spring Poems (1997) and From the Bellybutton of the Moon & Other Summer Poems (1998, both Children's Book Press). Alarcon opens this book with "Los Angeles," a tribute to the city in which he grew up: "here people/come from all/over the world/to make/their dreams/come true." The author's Mexican-American heritage shines through as he shares poems about platanos, strawberry and lemon flavored popsicles, his abuela, his first day of school as a non-English speaker, and el Dia de los Muertos. Footnotes offer explanations for unfamiliar terms in Spanish and English. Gonzalez's innovative and lively paintings complement the playful and vivacious tone of the poems. An excellent read-aloud in any season.
Reina Huerta, Young Women's Leadership School, New York City
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Alarcn summons the Los Angeles of his youth in this fine collection of poems that are rendered in both English and Spanish, and complemented by Gonzalez's merry painted photographs. In unrhymed verse, Alarcn celebrates a city that provided opportunities for his large family. Riding high here is the love of a mother and father who toil like demons while offering encouragement, protection, and warmth; of a grandmother, a wise and emboldening soul, who steps in when his parents are at work; of the neighborhood, with its memorable characters; and of the markets and the playful images they offer. Bananas make him think that ``each bunch is a natural wonder/a splendid baseball glove.'' Not all is fruity and bright in Alarcn's world, e.g., the work his parents do is hard and mean, it is not easy for him to make the adjustment to a new school, and the city's pollution: ``from a window I look at the dirty gray air/I imagine trees crying in distress.'' A tribute to a city, and to abiding family love. (Picture book/poetry. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.