Mamá's Magnificent Dancing Plantitas

August 1, 2024
Little Jes�s assumes his most significant role yet: caring for his Mam�'s beloved plantitas. While Mam� watches her novela, a bored Jes�s does chores, resulting in a mess. So Mam� comes up with an idea. Can Jes�s be a big brother to her plants while she enjoys some TV time? Jes�s is thrilled; an only child, he welcomes the idea of having plant siblings. With the self-appointed title of Chief Plant Officer, Jes�s gets to work the next day. He cleans up the soil around the snake plant, chills out with the bunny ear cactus, and checks in with the Swiss cheese plant. When Jes�s notices that Mam�'s cherished golden pothos plant looks a little sad one afternoon, he throws an impromptu dance party to cheer it up. Unfortunately, he knocks the plant over. "Ooooh noooo! Man down!" With Pap�'s assistance, Jes�s and Mam� come together to ensure her plantita looks better than ever. A companion to the resplendentPap�'s Magical Water-Jug Clock (2023), Trejo and Kinkz's latest collaboration amuses with similar madcap humor and shenanigans, focusing on the supportive mother-son relationship briefly glimpsed in the earlier book. As always, the miniature scamp's hijinks and wry observations bring the laughs--though the antics feel a little over-the-top this time--to the forefront, matched in zany intensity by the bright, frenetic illustrations and abundant speech bubbles that break up the main text. Characters are Latine. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. Another enthusiastic romp.(Picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from August 16, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-The same team behind Pap�'s Magical Water-Clock Jug has returned with this just as poignant and hilarious companion title. Single child Jes�s 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 Jes�s'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 Jes�s'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. VERDICT Another magnificent outing from this creative team, filled with the warmth of family and the laugh-inducing high jinks; this is for all picture book collections.-Shelley M. Diaz

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2024
Grades K-3 Little Jes�s, from the Pura Belpr� Honor Book Pap�'s Magical Water-Jug Clock (2023), returns for more entertaining shenanigans. This time, Jes�s is put in charge of caring for Mam�'s beloved houseplants. As Chief Plant Officer, Jes�s, who sees his caretaking role as similar to being a big brother, does his best to keep the plants watered and entertained. To help cheer up Mam�'s favorite plant, the Golden Pothos, Jes�s decides to put on some music and have a dance party. The fun stops when the Golden Pothos suddenly falls and breaks, and Jes�s worries and stresses over the broken pot. Jes�s refers to himself as a ""murderer"" at this point, which might miss the mark for the young intended audience and the otherwise lighthearted tone of the story. Mam� calmly offers up a new container, demonstrating that sometimes breaking things helps us grow. Illustrator Kinkz returns with vivid and engaging watercolor illustrations including lots of detailed plants with facial expressions and handwritten dialogue. Overall, a vibrant portrait of a mother-son bond that mostly delivers on its upbeat message.

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