Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock

by Jesús Trejo, Eliza Kinkz (Illustrator)

Overview

★ Kirkus Reviews ★ Publishers Weekly ★ School Library Journal
A 2024 Pura Belpré Honor Award, American Library Association

In Mexican American comedian Jesús Trejo’s debut picture book, a little boy makes a big, funny mistake and learns the value of resources like time and water—both of which have a magic all their own.

Little Jesús is excited to spend a Saturday with his landscaper Papá at the “family business.” He loves Papá’s cool truck and all the tools he gets to use. Papá even puts him in charge of the magical water jug, which is also a clock! When it's empty, Papá explains, the workday will be done. It’s a big job, and Jesús wants to do it right. But he just can’t help giving water to an array of thirsty animals—a dog in a sweater, some very old cats, and a flock of peacocks. Before he knows it, the magical water jug is empty —but the workday’s not over yet! Will Jesús be fired?! Or is the jug not really magical after all? This mischievous tale of a very young comedian’s life lesson will warm hearts and have class clowns, practical jokers, and all high-spirited kids nodding in sympathy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662651045
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	06/06/2023
Series:	LITTLE JESÚS
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	125,583
Product dimensions:	10.06(w) x 10.31(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jesús Trejo is a comedian, the creator of the Showtime special Stay at Home Son, and an actor on the Netflix series Mr. Iglesias and the TV Land series Teachers. Jesús is also the host of the web series Tacos Con Todo, in which he navigates the L.A. taco scene with celebrity guests. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, where he still lives, Jesús appears regularly at international comedy festivals and stand-up venues.

Eliza Kinkz is a Tejana illustrator whose debut picture book was Goldie's Guide to Grandchilding, written by Clint McElroy. Eliza has worked on TV shows, music videos, and most happily on her own award-winning animated films. Eliza lives in Austin, Texas.

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/24/2023

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. (June)

Publishers Weekly

★ A 2024 Pura Belpré Honor Award, American Library Association
★ An Association for Library Service to Children Notable Title
★ A National Council of Teachers of English Charlotte Huck Recommended Title
★ A 2024 Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended title
★ A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids
★ A Chicago Public Library Best Book for Children
★ A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2023
★ A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2023 About Families
★ A 2024 CCBC Choice 
★ A Bank Street Best Children's Book
★ An Américas Award Commended Title

★"A marvelous portrait of a working-class Latine family...brims with humorous, childlike observations….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. Gleefully fun." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★“Vividly written….Exuberantly scribbled drawings give the animated prose an exuberant immediacy and plenty of heart." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★“Convey[s] a positive attitude and the joy and love between Jesus and his father….bursting with color and with life, this picture book … has something new to explore with every read through. Perfect for Spanish and English picture book collections.” —School Library Journal, starred review

12 of the Best Children’s Books Out June 2023 — Book Riot

Featured in 20 Best Books To Read — Kirkus Reviews

101 Great Books for Kids list — Evanston Public Library (IL)

A Best Picture Book for Kids — LAist

"This book is like a jolt of joy to the veins.....An expert combination of kid-logic and hilarious art….this is a picture book that has zeroed in on just the right age for just the right readership. The art and writing pair together with absolute perfection... Funny book of the year of the FUNNIEST book of the year? All I know is that I could read this to kids every day fo rthe rest of my life and be content."—Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse #8 Production/SLJ.com

"Top 10 to Note: Summer Preview: the 10 books I'm most looking forward to." —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes, School Library Journal

"Beautiful….one of the reasons that I love this is kids are going to see themselves represented….and I love that the language of the community was preserved…I hope you’ll go out and purchase these books and you know I only share that which impresses me.” —Dr. José Medina, educator

“A simple yet powerful story of connection and teamwork.”—Booklist

"A favorite new release...a wonderful perspective of considering what quality time is. Buy it. Five stars."—@readwithriver

"I appreciate the love between this father and son and the joy they share together. The real magic is in their relationship. Wonderful memory filled story."— Pamela Gombert, Librarian, Bowen Elementary School

From the Publisher

★ 2023-04-12
Is little Jesús prepared for the awesome responsibility of managing Papá’s magical water-jug clock?

Hooray, it’s Saturday! Jesús can help his gardener father with the family business. Jesús is tasked with taking care of the water jug, which, according to Papá, is “also a magical clock. It tells us how much work is left to do!” Jesús gets ready as Mamá 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,” Jesús and Papá head out. First stop: the Saldañas’ house, where Jesús gives water to some thirsty old cats, Papá, and himself (and splashes some water on his face) while Papá tends to the lawn. At Juan-Diego’s super big house with its tiny dog, Jesús hands out lots of water to everyone (plus two face splashes) to ward off the heat. By Stop Número 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 Jesús 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)

Kirkus Reviews