From the Bellybutton of the Moon and other summer poems/Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas de verano

Rating:
Summary: An exuberant bilingual celebration of life
Review: "From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems" is an excellent collaboration between two artists: poet Francisco X. Alarcon and illustrator Maya Christina Gonzalez. Although marketed as a children's book, this bilingual collection should appeal to readers of all ages.

Each of Alarcon's poems is presented both in English and Spanish versions, making this book an added bonus for English speakers who are learning Spanish (or the other way around). The poetry in this book is a populist literature in the tradition of Walt Whitman and Pablo Neruda, and some of Alarcon's whimsical reflections on the natural world also reminded me of Emily Dickinson. And while being part of a great tradition, Alarcon has his own strong poetic voice which stands apart.

Alarcon is a United States poet, and, as he explains in the afterword (which also appears in both English and Spanish), these poems were inspired by childhood trips to visit his rural relatives in Mexico. This book is thus a multicultural celebration of family, of ethnic roots, of childhood memories, and of the beauty of nature. Alarcon writes of being taught the alphabet by his grandfather, of walking barefoot on the grass, of befriending a cow name Mariposa ("butterfly" in Spanish), and of other delightful things.

Gonzalez' illustrations, which grace every page, perfectly complement Alarcon's celebratory verses. Bursting with color and energy, Gonzalez' work is a stunning blend of realistic and fantastic images. Her best illustrations are rich in details that invite the eye to linger in pleasure.

In the poem "We Are Trees," Alarcon compares human beings to trees, and notes that while "our roots / connect," our branches also "reach out / to other branches." And this philosophy seems to be at the heart of Alarcon's work. While celebrating a particular family and culture, "From the Bellybutton of the Moon" also explores universal ideas which are relevant to all families and all cultures. And thus should this book be enjoyed by children--and adults--of all cultures.