Tierra, Tierrita Earth, Little Earth : tal, talchin

PreS-Gr 2--Mother Earth is all around, in every mineral, plant, and animal--from dawn to sunset, from water to fire. Acclaimed Nahua poet Argueta follows up his previous nature-themed picture books (most recently Viento, vientito) with this rumination on Mother Earth with Indigenous cosmovision at its heart. The one- to five-line Spanish-language verses, set on a light brown background on the verso page, progress through the book as if the words in black type were living beings, pouring gratitude to the one mother of all. The verses are separated by Mesoamericanlike iconography. The English translation emulates the emotions of the Spanish narrative, expressing the message of the need for a healthy ecosystem. The colored pencil illustrations on the recto pages communicate the book's ambiance with detailed depictions that will resonate for children. This book could be read alongside Argueta's picture book Fuego, fueguito in a climate action or environmental-themed story time. The back matter includes the entire poem in Nahuatl. VERDICT An environmental picture book that connects young children with the positive emotions drawn from Mother Earth as the creator of all life.--Kathia Ibacache

A trilingual homage to the glory that is Mother Earth. Mother Earth tells her story and that of the myriad forms of life that call her home. Of all mothers, she is the oldest. "My song is the song / of all the animals / of all the trees / the plants, fruits, herbs and vegetables." As in the author's previous three books in this series, an artful resonance flows through the verse. Argueta's reverence for our planet--Tierra, Tierrita, or Earth, Little Earth, as he calls her--comes through clearly: "Within me are born / all the rivers. / In my hands / I hold the seas." On each page, translated English free verse follows the Spanish; the entire text also appears at the end in Nahuat, a reflection of the author's Pipil-Nahua heritage. These sentiments are conveyed through Alcántara's panoramic illustrations of a peaceful, animal-filled forest, an arid desert, a tranquil, snow-covered meadow, and more. The message is clear: Respect for all life is imperative for our continued existence. Readers will be left stirred; educators and caregivers will find plenty of opportunities to spark discussion about the natural world. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A welcome invitation to ponder the totality of nature--and our place within it. (Picture book. 5-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.