‘Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock’

My read-aloud this past week in SRCSA library was Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock, written by comedian Jesús Trejo and illustrated by Eliza Kinkz.

The text and illustrations really compliment each other in this humorous story, which features little Jesús spending a day with his landscaper Papá, who puts him in charge of a “magical water jug.”

Papá tells little Jesús that when the jug is empty, 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 book is delightfully humorous and ultimately big-hearted. Some of the highlights for me included the look on Papá’s face when little Jesús explained to Papá where all of the water had gone.

I also love colorful designs on the endpapers: various landscaping and maintenance tasks portrayed as signature moves for creatively-named luchadors.

Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock was an Honor Book in 2024 for the Pura Belpré Award, both for children’s narration and for youth illustration. It also received an Honorable Mention from the International Latino Book Award.

Best of all, this book is part of a series, called “Little Jesús.” I’m looking forward to reading the latest book: Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas.