No matter the neighborhood, no one can deny the desire for delicious paleta treats on a hot, summer day. That is exactly what allows everyone to connect to this vibrant and charming book, Paletero Man by Latin Grammy award-winning Lucky Diaz with wonderful illustrations by Micah Player. This read is guaranteed to have your stomach grubbling for something sweet and chanting “Paletas for one! Paletas for all!” along with the excited narrator. This book celebrates kindness and trust between neighbors as well as the amazing people who participate in and care for their communities.
The story unfolds through pleasing rhymes, in both English and Spanish, as it centers on our narrator, a little boy in Los Angeles, who is determined to find his friend, Paletero Jose, the Paletero Man, so he may succeed in beating the heat along with his cravings. He runs through his close-knit community, chasing the familiar ring of the paleta call. His other friends, friendly vendors, and shopkeepers on the street call out to him, offering alternative food.
He daydreams of what flavors Paletero Jose might have: horchata, elote, o fresa. When he finally spots Paletero Jose in the park, the narrator decides he must have piña for the day. The narrator finds himself in a crisis situation when he reaches into his pocket to find that the money he had for his paleta has disappeared. That is, until, he spots Ernesto, Frank, and Ms. Lee following behind him with the money that had tumbled out of his pocket during his journey. Paletero Jose, delighted by their compassion, offers free paletas to everyone. It goes to show, when you look out for your neighbor, that kindness comes back to you.
(Ages 3-7)
