From the Bellybutton of the Moon is renowned poet Francisco X. Alarcon’s fresh collection of 22 bilingual poems inspired by his touching recollections of childhood summers in Mexico. With a poet’s magical vision, Alarcon takes us back to his childhood when he traveled with his family to Mexico to visit his grandma and other relatives. We travel with him in the family station wagon, across the misty mountain range to the little town of Atoyac. There, in the beloved town of his ancestors, we hear his grandma’s stories, sample Auntie Reginalda’s tasty breakfasts, learn about the keys to the universe, and take playful dips in the warm sea. The lighthearted illustrations of Maya Christina Gonzalez perfectly capture the spirit of a summer in Alarcon’s Mexico where “colors are more colorful, tastes are tastier, and even time seems to slow down.”
- ISBN: 9780892391530
- Author: Alarcon, Francisco X.
- Published: 1998 , Children's Book Press
- Themes: childhood memories, Spanish, Summer
- Descriptors: Bilingual, Mexico, Poetry, Primary (ages 6-9)
- No. of pages: 32
This picture book of poems swims beautifully from strong words to fantastical illustrations and back again. While Francisco’s written collection of poems is strong they are given new strengths thanks to Maya Christina Gonzalez’s fun illustrations. Her illustrations are similar to Alarcon’s words in that they are big, bold, and beautiful. Across certain poems Alarcon and Gonzalez work together making the poems’ words part of the illustrations to highlight the mood and feeling. While this collection of poems and illustrations seem to be geared towards children, it’s easily enjoyable to read from at any age.
The author writes about his visits to Mexico to see his grandparents and close relatives. In a station wagon, the family drives crosses Mexico’s western mountain range. When in Atoyac, Alarcón shares the meaning of Mexico, along with food, livestock, weather, education, and language. In bright, yet soft, colors to show various naturalistic landscapes, this collection of poems builds on the reader’s understanding of family, home, community, language, identity, and traditions. Lastly, the author creatively uses several poetic elements, such as a picture poem to depict Air Wheel and Water Wheel.