A group of 29 poems—each standing for a letter within the Spanish alphabet—takes readers on a nature-filled journey punctuated by glimpses of butterflies, hummingbirds, frogs, the Milky Means, pebbles, and extra. For each Spanish poem there’s a corresponding English translation. Whereas the English alphabet consists of a strong 26 letters, Spanish has a number of extra, and thru intelligent methods, the co-authors incorporate most of them. As an example, “Niña de la trusa azul” is the automobile for the letter “ñ” whereas the italicized English phrase in “Ventana o window” stands for the letter “w.” Like “ñ,” “rr” happens in the midst of phrases; nevertheless, it doesn’t get a poem. Each letter brings readers to a setting alongside the Yuba: night campfires, cicadas chirping, toes dipped in water, a boulder island, forest, and sunsets. In Spanish, the poetry carries a beautiful, lyrical, easy, fluid, and rhythmic cadence; and every so often the English pacing doesn’t measure up. Utomo’s watercolors lend a dreamy high quality to the nice and cozy browns and greens; readers will really feel the solar’s heat and listen to the rippling waters.
