Poems to Dream Together
by: Franciso X. Alarcon
This collection of bilingual poetry is based on childhood dreams of having a better life and the pure innocence of dreaming big. Alarcon takes readers on a journey that celebrates family, future, and magical encounters.
Alarcon intertwines dreams through the eyes of a young Latino boy. Who shares his dreams both awake and while sleeping. He shares with readers simple ideas in a poem titled Questions real questions/have no answers/ just more questions. Alarcon points out the importance of supporting a family’s dream, in the poem titled Family Garden where the phrase – all in our family/ take time to tend/ each other’s dreams.
This culturally, rich book pays honor to past migrant workers that have enabled our country to prosper. In Blessed Hands he shows his appreciation, without the hands/ of farmworkers/ who in long days/ of hard labor.
The author’s free verse poetry has a catchy appeal in both Spanish and English text. Alarcon presents his poetry with the absence of capital letters and punctuation. He leaves his readers expressing his desire for a bright future , in Dreaming together- a dream/ we dream/ alone/ reality/ we dream/ together.
Paula Barragan has beautifully illustrated the pages with vibrant pictures that literally jump off the pages. Her collages bring dreams to life for the readers. Her colors dance with the cultural authenticity.
Teachers will love to have this bilingual resource to share with their students
Alarcon, Francsio X . Poems to Dream Together. ill. by Paula Barragan. New York, NY. Lee & Low Books 2005.
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