Servants of the spring Book

Laughing Tomatoes: And Other Spring Poems/Jitomates risuenos: y otros poemas de primavera by Francisco Alarcón celebrates an appreciation of nature's resources: a boy wakes up to the morning sun warming his bed, there is an ode to corn, and a prayer for a fallen tree. There is a poem about strawberries that recognizes children who work in the fields, followed by a poem that describes how the children planted an oak tree "more bountiful with time" that had "open arms for grown up's and children" with the features and spirit of Cesar Chávez, planted on his birthday.

The pages are filled with joy and vibrancy; the characters are always in motion, swinging, jumping, dancing, planting, and singing. As is made apparent by the title, laughing is a major element of the story, and it creates a playful and happy tone. The reader sees smiles all around, including from the animals and even the green grassy hills!

The story highlights the importance of family and ancestral wisdom in the poems "Roots," "My Grandma's Songs," and "Other Voices." The book ends optimistically, with the children dreaming that "no school or church was without a garden" and "people greeted each other with flowers." The author's afterword includes a beautiful metaphor describing how a collection of poetry is like a tomato plant, "from a small seed it sprouts, then grows and grows…they need good care and tending…and grow in many forms and shapes."

This is a very positive book for students because it encourages them to be responsible to and grateful for the natural environment. It portrays gardening as a fun activity that allows people to connect with the earth as well as with their ancestors. It reminds them of the origin of food, the labor that goes into it, and the beauty behind all that it takes to be made. The power of poetry and language is highlighted throughout the book and in the afterword, which can inspire students to create their own poetry and perhaps start a garden of their own.

To read our full review including links to classroom resources, visit the Vamos a Leer blog at