Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi is about a young Latino boy named Juan who lives in San Capistrano and loves the swallows in the Mission garden. He decides to create his own garden in hopes that when the swallows migrate back to California, they will also come to his garden.
Bibliography:
Politi, Leo. "Song of the Swallows". Getty Publications, 2009.
My Impressions:
The artistry of this book is pale and muted as compared to other children's books in Module 3 such as, Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman. But what I like about this book is that the illustrations match the story. I also like the flow of this story and found it to be soothing as I read it for myself and then for the young kids in my family.
Reviews:
Children's Literature Review: Originally published in 1948, Leo Politi's Caldecott-Medal-winning book tells a tale of los golondrinas, the swallows that travel to and from San Juan Capistrano in California. Juan, a young Latino boy, walks through the gardens of the Mission with Julian, the bell ringer. Julian teaches Juan about the travels of the swallows, and, together, they would watch the swallows fly away south and return in the spring on Saint Joseph's Day. Juan builds his own garden, determined to provide a home for los golondrinas when they return. The book includes two songs with musical notation and lyrics, one of which the people sing when the swallows leave and the other when they return. This charming, simple story tells of the patterns of nature, the Latino culture in California, and the beauty of song. The muted, warm colors of the illustration mimic the landscapes of Southern California. This timeless story has connected with children over the past 60 years and would be a beneficial addition to any children's literature collection.
Suggested Use:
This would be a storybook for small children because of the soft illustrations and smooth writing. I also like it as a nature and science book on why birds migrate south and how they know when to leave and return.
Book Cover:
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