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Papa's Magical Water-Jug Clock

by Jesus Trejo

CCBC Review:

Jesús is eager to be Papá’s assistant on this Saturday morning, helping out with their family gardening business. His first task: Fill Papá’s big water jug. Papá explains that it’s more than a jug of water—it’s also a magical clock. “It tells us how much work is left to do! When the jug is empty, that means, time to go home. … I’m putting you in charge of it, mijo.” Jesús (Latine) takes his responsibility seriously; unfortunately, he also uses the water liberally, not just for himself and Papá but also for the plethora of cats at the first house, the dog at the second, and the peacocks at the third, all of which he’s sure look thirsty. When Jesús announces mid-morning that it’s time to go home because the jug is empty, Papá has to explain that the jug isn’t really magic. “You’re my partner, but you’re also my kid. That’s why I try to make our workday fun.” Respect for their hard work and pride in a job well done are important finishing elements of this laugh-out-loud story. Comical details in the gleeful illustrations begin with the gardening-inspired Lucha Libre figures on the endpapers (El Plantador, Super Sodder, Clippity Clipper …) and never stop, while the storytelling mines situational humor that grows increasingly absurd while never making fun of Jesús’s naïve belief in the clock’s magic. Highly Commended, 2024 Charlotte Zolotow Award ©2023 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Eliza Kinkz

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Fathers Humor Work and Labor
Diversity subject: Latine

Publishers: Astra, Minerva
Publish Year: 2023
Pages: 38
ISBN: 9781662651045
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Trejo

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