Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

Starred Review Latin Grammy winner Diaz's upbeat song "Paletero Man" is brought to life here with vibrant colors and diverse characters. This book is a fantastic summer celebration of Mexican paletas (ice pops), as well as L.A.'s culture of street vendors. On a sweltering day, readers race alongside a Mexican American boy as he runs through his neighborhood spired by Eighth Street in L.A. find Paletero José. He passes the wonderful smells of Tío Ernesto's tamale cart and Señorita Lee's Korean BBQ. Following the bell of the paletero man, the boy hears the Ring! Ring! Ring! of the cart, but where can it be? He continues his journey through the brightly colored streets, passing vendors and saludando (greeting) neighbors and friends along the way. The melodic rhythm of the stanzas makes this book ideal for reading aloud. Each page has Spanish words within the English sentences. No glossary is provided for the Spanish vocabulary, but it is easy to understand in context, especially when taken with the story's bold illustrations. When Paletero José is finally discovered at the park, surrounded by diverse families and happy faces, a plot twist that could have ruined the boy's day brings joy to all. This book depicts wonderful examples of kindness, community, and delicious paletas.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Money flies out of an excited Latinx boy's holey pockets as he runs toward his favorite drippy, slurpy treat.Is it tamales? Korean BBQ tacos? NO! There's only time for one thing today: an ice cold paleta from Paletero José. "In the hottest month, / on the hottest day, / in the city of Dreamers, / California-LA." This semibilingual rhyming story races down Eighth Street with the protagonist, who greets food vendors and shopkeepers as he goes, to the teeming park where the Mexican paleta pushcart's bell rings. Now for the hard part-which flavor to choose? "¿Chocolate, elote, / sandía, o fresa, / arroz con leche, / miel, o cereza?" The boy's adamant; only piña will hit the spot. A smiling José hands over a pineapple paleta, but wait-where's the money? It's lost! Tragedy is averted when the child spies the neighborhood merchants who have followed him across town with his money clutched in their hands. Impressed by their kindness, Paletero José gives out free paletas to everyone. Latin Grammy winner Diaz's story, based on his bestselling song of the same name (link included on book cover), is a jaunty tour through the vibrant, diverse streets of Los Angeles. Although there is no glossary for fledgling paleta aficionados, Player's vibrant, attention-grabbing illustrations highlight both the mouth-pleasing treats and the congenial interactions within the multiethnic/multiracial community. (This book was reviewed digitally.)The unifying lure of paleta love underscores the joys all people-regardless of differences-have in common. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Sat May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

K-Gr 2 This bright, bilingual story sparkles with celebrated musician-songwriter Diaz's English and Spanish rhymes and Player's bubbly, colorful digital illustrations, blending seamlessly to represent Diaz's pride for his hometown in Los Angeles. Young readers will race alongside a Mexican American boy as he runs through his neighborhood streets to buy a cold paleta, a Mexican-style ice pop, quickly greeting local business owners on the way. As the boy rushes to find Paletero José and his paleta cart, daydreaming about the many fruity paleta flavors he will enjoy, the boy's pocket change accidentally falls loose. The boy's friends notice his plight and save the day, exemplifying a harmonious energy within the community that resonates through short, expressive bilingual rhymes. Similarly, illustrations fill every corner with vibrancy and amity in the people and activities depicted, honoring Eighth Street for its cultural diversity and liveliness. Along with an insightful author's note, there is a website provided by the publisher on the book's cover to link elementary readers to the children's song "Paletero Man." VERDICT Filled with life and joy, this story is an upbeat, multi-sensory experience that honors the breadth and harmony of multiculturalism in Diaz's LA hometown. Rachel Mulligan, Westampton, NJ

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Money flies out of an excited Latinx boy's holey pockets as he runs toward his favorite drippy, slurpy treat.Is it tamales? Korean BBQ tacos? NO! There's only time for one thing today: an ice cold paleta from Paletero José. "In the hottest month, / on the hottest day, / in the city of Dreamers, / California-LA." This semibilingual rhyming story races down Eighth Street with the protagonist, who greets food vendors and shopkeepers as he goes, to the teeming park where the Mexican paleta pushcart's bell rings. Now for the hard part-which flavor to choose? "¿Chocolate, elote, / sandía, o fresa, / arroz con leche, / miel, o cereza?" The boy's adamant; only piña will hit the spot. A smiling José hands over a pineapple paleta, but wait-where's the money? It's lost! Tragedy is averted when the child spies the neighborhood merchants who have followed him across town with his money clutched in their hands. Impressed by their kindness, Paletero José gives out free paletas to everyone. Latin Grammy winner Diaz's story, based on his bestselling song of the same name (link included on book cover), is a jaunty tour through the vibrant, diverse streets of Los Angeles. Although there is no glossary for fledgling paleta aficionados, Player's vibrant, attention-grabbing illustrations highlight both the mouth-pleasing treats and the congenial interactions within the multiethnic/multiracial community. (This book was reviewed digitally.)The unifying lure of paleta love underscores the joys all people-regardless of differences-have in common. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Inspired by the Lucky Band-s song of the same name, Latin Grammy Award-winning musician Diaz pens a bouncy rhyming narrative from the first-person perspective of a dark-haired, light brown-skinned Los Angeles resident. Intent on securing an icy paleta on the hottest day of the year, the child races down the street, greeting tattooed Tío Ernesto at his tamale cart, bespectacled Ms. Lee at her Korean barbecue taco restaurant, and Frank, a Black man who works at the bicycle shop. As the child searches on, Diaz offers a rousing refrain throughout the bilingual narrative: -Can you hear his call?/ Paletas for one!/ Paletas for all!- When the child realizes their paleta money is missing, the community members come together in a satisfying close. Player adds dynamic spreads in bright hues that often illuminate the untranslated Spanish. A wonderfully executed treat of a book with a sweet community focus. Back matter includes a heartwarming author-s note on the origins of the book and song, revealing Los Angeles- Eighth Street as inspiration. Ages 4-8. (June)