Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock

Starred review from April 24, 2023
This vividly written picture book debut from comedian and actor Trejo offers a rare look at a day on the job from a child’s perspective. Jesús loves everything about helping his father with the Latinx-cued family’s landscaping business on Saturdays. Wearing a jaunty red neck bandana, Jesús takes in “a tasty mixed smell of oil, gasoline, and yesterday’s cut grass” that emanates from the work van. Today, Papá has made Jesús the “boss” of the big orange water jug, which is also, Papá says, a magical clock—“When the jug is empty, that means, time to go home.” But though Mamá reminds the duo to “drink lots of agua,” Jesús is elaborately unstinting with the water, splashing it on his face and offering it to every animal he sees. By 10:30 a.m., none remains for drinking, and there are still 11 houses to go. Assuring a worried Jesús that he won’t be fired, Papá explains that making things fun—for example by pretending a water jug has magical powers—doesn’t obviate the day’s responsibilities, then offers an opportunity to refill the bucket. Exuberantly scribbled pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, and crayon drawings by Kinkz (Goldie’s Guide to Grandchilding) give the animated prose an exuberant immediacy and plenty of heart. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Albert Lee, United Talent Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House.

Starred review from June 1, 2023

K-Gr 3-It's finally Saturday, and Jes�s is super excited to help Pap� in his gardening and landscaping work. Pap� gives Jes�s a very special task and puts him in charge of the barrilito that holds the water they will drink for the day, telling Jes�s that when the water is gone from the water jug, it will mean the work day is over, and they can return home. Jes�s helps by mowing the grass, pulling weeds, and bringing Pap� water when he needs a cool drink. As they visit different houses, Jes�s notices cats, dogs, and even some peacocks that look like they could use a cool drink, too. Slowly, the water jug begins to empty, and Pap� is shocked when there is no more water left. Where did it all go? Jes�s admits he shared with his animal friends and even splashed some on his face. Pap� explains they still have quite a bit of work left, and Jes�s refills the water jug and works hard to conserve it this time. Together, Jes�s and his father work hard and the next time the barrilito is empty, it really is time to head home. Colorful watercolor illustrations and Jes�s's attitude-which is bursting with excitement and positivity-will pull readers in right away, sharing the boy's outlook and the bright world he lives in with his loving parents. Jes�s is shown helping his father with hard work, while they both enjoy being in each other's company. Readers will have a good laugh every time Jes�s shares the water with animals, and his attitude will have them smiling at every turn of the page. Both English and Spanish text versions convey this positive attitude and the joy and love between Jes�s and his father, with thought and speech bubbles adding to the conversations between them. VERDICT Bursting with color and with life, this picture book about a young boy's day helping his father has something new to explore with every read through. Perfect for Spanish and English picture book collections.-Selenia Paz

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2023
Grades K-2 Mexican American comedian and entertainer Trejo's debut picture book takes readers along for a ride through the workday of a father and son. This slice-of-life story showcases the duo's bond as they navigate through the gardening tasks and duties of the day. Kinkz's distinct hand-drawn art style is eye-catching and captivating, complete with fluorescent color and handwritten speech balloons, which contribute to the buoyant atmosphere. As the seemingly mundane Saturday unfolds, little Jes�s gets to take charge of Pap�'s magical water-jug clock, which keeps them hydrated on a hot day. Readers will probably observe that Jes�s isn't being terribly careful with the water, and when he makes a mistake, Pap� gently encourages him to find a way to solve the problem. In this short, comedic picture book, readers see a loving and supportive father-son dynamic that celebrates the joys of hard work and the power of family bonds. A simple yet powerful story of connection and teamwork through the lens of gardening and the love between a father and son.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from May 1, 2023
Is little Jes�s prepared for the awesome responsibility of managing Pap�'s magical water-jug clock? Hooray, it's Saturday! Jes�s can help his gardener father with the family business. Jes�s is tasked with taking care of the water jug, which, according to Pap�, is "also a magical clock. It tells us how much work is left to do!" Jes�s gets ready as Mam� reminds them "to drink lots of agua." Piling into their trusty van with its supplies and intoxicating smell of gasoline, oil, and "yesterday's cut grass," Jes�s and Pap� head out. First stop: the Salda�as' house, where Jes�s gives water to some thirsty old cats, Pap�, and himself (and splashes some water on his face) while Pap� tends to the lawn. At Juan-Diego's super big house with its tiny dog, Jes�s hands out lots of water to everyone (plus two face splashes) to ward off the heat. By Stop N�mero Tres, the magical water-jug clock is out of water. Time to go home? But there are still 11 more houses to go. Oh no! Where did Jes�s go wrong? A marvelous portrait of a working-class Latine family, Trejo's picture-book debut, inspired by his own childhood experiences, brims with humorous, childlike observations. Anchored by its pint-sized mischief-maker, this tale of a loving father-son relationship radiates pure warmth. Kinkz's scrappy watercolor-blended artwork bursts with bright colors and amusing details, matching its tiny hero's chaotic spirit. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Gleefully fun. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2023
Young Jesus eagerly awaits Saturdays, when he helps his father with their family's lawn service business. Papa gives him the responsibility of taking care of the water jug, claiming that it is a magical clock and when the water runs out, it's time to go home. Hilarity ensues when Jesus doles out cups of water to three "super-old" thirsty cats, a dog in a sweater, and some peacocks, and uses lots of water to splash his face. The jug may now be empty, but Jesus and Papa can't yet go home: it's only ten thirty in the morning, and they still have eleven more houses to visit. Papa confesses that the water jug is not a magical clock after all; he had tried to make the day go more quickly by making the jug into a game. But as Jesus tells Papa, they can have fun in other ways. The protagonist's exuberance shines through in his observations of the world. Kinkz's art -- in "pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, crayons, and a few drops of queso" -- brings this story to life. The colors are bright; the line drawings are childlike and full of zany energy. The garden-themed luchador endpapers will garner lots of laughs. This book mixes humor with the touching bond between a son and his papa, and a gentle message about the preciousness of water as a resource. Yesica Hurd

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2024
Young Jesus eagerly awaits Saturdays, when he helps his father with their family's lawn service business. Papa gives him the responsibility of taking care of the water jug, claiming that it is a magical clock and when the water runs out, it's time to go home. Hilarity ensues when Jesus doles out cups of water to three "super-old" thirsty cats, a dog in a sweater, and some peacocks, and uses lots of water to splash his face. The jug may now be empty, but Jesus and Papa can't yet go home: it's only ten thirty in the morning, and they still have eleven more houses to visit. Papa confesses that the water jug is not a magical clock after all; he had tried to make the day go more quickly by making the jug into a game. But as Jesus tells Papa, they can have fun in other ways. The protagonist's exuberance shines through in his observations of the world. Kinkz's art -- in "pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, crayons, and a few drops of queso" -- brings this story to life. The colors are bright; the line drawings are childlike and full of zany energy. The garden-themed luchador endpapers will garner lots of laughs. This book mixes humor with the touching bond between a son and his papa, and a gentle message about the preciousness of water as a resource.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)