Poems to Dream Together

Poemas para soñar juntos
By Francisco X. Alarcón, Paula Barragán
Paperback: $11.95

A bilingual collection of poetry by acclaimed Chicano poet Francisco X. Alarcón celebrating family, community, nature, and the positive power of dreams to shape our future.

Description

A young boy dreams that “all humans / and all living / beings / come together / as one big family / of the Earth.”

So begins this delightful bilingual collection of poems by Francisco X. Alarcón. As we travel through the boy’s colorful universe, we learn about his family and community working together and caring for each other and the world in which they live. Neighbors help repair adobe homes. The boy and his family share old photographs, tend their garden, and pamper Mamá who “works day and night.” Tribute is paid to those who toil in the fields, and to César Chávez. Most of all, we see how dreams can take many forms, from the fantastic imaginary ones that occur while we sleep to the realistic ones that guide our lives and give us inspiration for the endless possibilities of the future.

Partly based on Alarcón’s own dreams and family memories of growing up in Mexico and California, and vibrantly illustrated by Paula Barragán, these joyous, universal poems will inspire all readers to dream their own dreams for a better, compassionate, and loving world.

“Close your eyes / and now get ready / to hop on a dream.”

About the Creators

Francisco X. Alarcón
Francisco X. Alarcón

Francisco X. Alarcón was a renowned poet and educator, and a three-time winner of the Pura Belpré Author Award Honor for his bilingual Magical Cycle of the Seasons series of poetry for children. His many other honors include the American Book Award, the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award, the Chicano Literary Prize, and finalist for state poet laureate of California. Alarcón was also the author of several poetry collections for adults and textbooks for teaching Spanish. In addition, he directed the Spanish for Native Speakers Program at the University of California. Alarcón passed away in early 2016.

Paula Barragán

Paula Barragán is a native of Quito, Ecuador. She received her degree in graphic design and illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to being a painter, Barragán is a printmaker and carpet designer. Her fine art pieces have been shown at galleries in the United States and South America. Barragán currently lives in Quito.

Awards

  • ALSC Notable Children's Books

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

  • Jane Addams Children's Book Award

    Jane Addams Peace Association

  • Best of the Best Books

    Chicago Public Library

Reviews

  • "In an inspiring bilingual collection of short poems, Alarcon shares his dreams of peace, community building, and a bright future for children of all cultures. The works are charming in their simplicity and transcend cliche with beautifully unsophisticated imagery"

    - Booklist
  • "Alarcón has a knack for tapping into the experiences and emotions of childhood. . . With simple elegance, the verses read aloud beautifully and the poetic images are at once accessible and inspiring."

    - School Library Journal

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600606571
  • Price $11.95
  • Publication Date Jun 01, 2005
  • Trim Size 10.25 × 8.75 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584302339
  • Price $16.95
  • Publication Date Jun 01, 2005
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / Caribbean & Latin America
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Poetry
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Family / General
  • Themes Bilingual, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Colors, Courage, Dreams & Aspirations, Environment / Nature, Families, Fiction, Five Senses / Body Parts, Friendship, Home, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Imagination, Immigration, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Poetry, Pride
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 7 - 12
  • Grade Range Grades 2 - 7
  • Guided Reading M
  • ATOS Book Level 4.6
  • DRA 28
  • Interest Level Grades 2 - 7
  • Lexile Code NP
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 3
  • Bebop Reading Early Fluent
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