FROM THE BELLYBUTTON OF THE MOON

With the alternate title, Del Ombligo de la Luna y otros poemas de verano, this exuberant collection, in both English and Spanish, is illustrated in bold, brilliant swathes of color that recall Mexican folk art and textiles. Each poem sits near its twin, and it’s fun, even for non-Spanish speakers, to compare the two versions and learn the words. Most are simple and celebratory: the sound of a dog’s bark in the two languages; a favorite cow named Mariposa; the joys of an aunt’s breakfast. Alarc¢n celebrates summers spent with relatives in Mexico, where a grandmother taught him that Mexico is Aztec for “bellybutton of the moon.” Some poems, such as “Water Wheel/Rueda Agua” and “Sea/Mar” are shaped on their accompanying image. A few, such as “Girasol/Sunflower,” are tiny and perfect in either language: “algo/de flor/algo/de sol” translates to “somewhat/a flower/somehow/a sun.” Ideal for summer story hours or warm reminiscing all winter long. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)