Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz

Abstract

Reviewed by: Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz Elizabeth Bush Diaz, Lucky Paletero Man; illus. by Micah Player. HarperCollins, 2021 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780063014442 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780063089556 $12.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 3-6 yrs It’s a sizzling day, and our Angeleno narrator is on a mission to track down the paleta vendor and some icy refreshment. There’s no time to stop for conversation or treats from his favorite haunts—Tio Ernesto’s tamale cart, Ms. Lee’s Korean BBQ stand, Frank’s bike shop—as he rushes toward the park. As anticipated, there’s José, calling out, “Paletas for one! Paletas for all!” and he even has the piña flavor our little guy craves. Gadzooks! The narrator’s pockets are empty and the mission looks doomed, until Ernesto, Mr. Lee, and Frank show up with the coins he dropped along the way when he was in too great a hurry to stop and chat; José then rewards the good deed with paletas all around. Diaz’s story in verse, with its chantable refrain and kid-sized dollop of tension, is a paean to Eighth Street Los Angeles food culture, affectionately described in a closing note. Player’s energetic Photoshop illustrations sport the distinctive technicolor paleta palette that’s sunshine itself. Whether it’s sourced from a street cart, a taqueria freezer, or the library’s back room refrigerator, we all know what the storytime treat will be. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois