Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Is little Jesús prepared for the awesome responsibility of managing Papá's magical water-jug clock?Hooray, it's Saturday! Jesús can help his gardener father with the family business. Jesús is tasked with taking care of the water jug, which, according to Papá, is "also a magical clock. It tells us how much work is left to do!" Jesús gets ready as Mamá reminds them "to drink lots of agua." Piling into their trusty van with its supplies and intoxicating smell of gasoline, oil, and "yesterday's cut grass," Jesús and Papá head out. First stop: the Saldañas' house, where Jesús gives water to some thirsty old cats, Papá, and himself (and splashes some water on his face) while Papá tends to the lawn. At Juan-Diego's super big house with its tiny dog, Jesús hands out lots of water to everyone (plus two face splashes) to ward off the heat. By Stop Número Tres, the magical water-jug clock is out of water. Time to go home? But there are still 11 more houses to go. Oh no! Where did Jesús go wrong? A marvelous portrait of a working-class Latine family, Trejo's picture-book debut, inspired by his own childhood experiences, brims with humorous, childlike observations. Anchored by its pint-sized mischief-maker, this tale of a loving father-son relationship radiates pure warmth. Kinkz's scrappy watercolor-blended artwork bursts with bright colors and amusing details, matching its tiny hero's chaotic spirit. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Gleefully fun. (Picture book. 4-8)

ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Mexican American comedian and entertainer Trejo's debut picture book takes readers along for a ride through the workday of a father and son. This slice-of-life story showcases the duo's bond as they navigate through the gardening tasks and duties of the day. Kinkz's distinct hand-drawn art style is eye-catching and captivating, complete with fluorescent color and handwritten speech balloons, which contribute to the buoyant atmosphere. As the seemingly mundane Saturday unfolds, little Jesús gets to take charge of Papá's magical water-jug clock, which keeps them hydrated on a hot day. Readers will probably observe that Jesús isn't being terribly careful with the water, and when he makes a mistake, Papá gently encourages him to find a way to solve the problem. In this short, comedic picture book, readers see a loving and supportive father-son dynamic that celebrates the joys of hard work and the power of family bonds. A simple yet powerful story of connection and teamwork through the lens of gardening and the love between a father and son.

Horn Book (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Young Jesus eagerly awaits Saturdays, when he helps his father with their family's lawn service business. Papa gives him the responsibility of taking care of the water jug, claiming that it is a magical clock and when the water runs out, it's time to go home. Hilarity ensues when Jesus doles out cups of water to three "super-old" thirsty cats, a dog in a sweater, and some peacocks, and uses lots of water to splash his face. The jug may now be empty, but Jesus and Papa can't yet go home: it's only ten thirty in the morning, and they still have eleven more houses to visit. Papa confesses that the water jug is not a magical clock after all; he had tried to make the day go more quickly by making the jug into a game. But as Jesus tells Papa, they can have fun in other ways. The protagonist's exuberance shines through in his observations of the world. Kinkz's art -- in "pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, crayons, and a few drops of queso" -- brings this story to life. The colors are bright; the line drawings are childlike and full of zany energy. The garden-themed luchador endpapers will garner lots of laughs. This book mixes humor with the touching bond between a son and his papa, and a gentle message about the preciousness of water as a resource. Yesica Hurd

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

Is little Jesús prepared for the awesome responsibility of managing Papá's magical water-jug clock?Hooray, it's Saturday! Jesús can help his gardener father with the family business. Jesús is tasked with taking care of the water jug, which, according to Papá, is "also a magical clock. It tells us how much work is left to do!" Jesús gets ready as Mamá reminds them "to drink lots of agua." Piling into their trusty van with its supplies and intoxicating smell of gasoline, oil, and "yesterday's cut grass," Jesús and Papá head out. First stop: the Saldañas' house, where Jesús gives water to some thirsty old cats, Papá, and himself (and splashes some water on his face) while Papá tends to the lawn. At Juan-Diego's super big house with its tiny dog, Jesús hands out lots of water to everyone (plus two face splashes) to ward off the heat. By Stop Número Tres, the magical water-jug clock is out of water. Time to go home? But there are still 11 more houses to go. Oh no! Where did Jesús go wrong? A marvelous portrait of a working-class Latine family, Trejo's picture-book debut, inspired by his own childhood experiences, brims with humorous, childlike observations. Anchored by its pint-sized mischief-maker, this tale of a loving father-son relationship radiates pure warmth. Kinkz's scrappy watercolor-blended artwork bursts with bright colors and amusing details, matching its tiny hero's chaotic spirit. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Gleefully fun. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Thu Oct 03 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This vividly written picture book debut from comedian and actor Trejo offers a rare look at a day on the job from a child’s perspective. Jesús loves everything about helping his father with the Latinx-cued family’s landscaping business on Saturdays. Wearing a jaunty red neck bandana, Jesús takes in “a tasty mixed smell of oil, gasoline, and yesterday’s cut grass” that emanates from the work van. Today, Papá has made Jesús the “boss” of the big orange water jug, which is also, Papá says, a magical clock—“When the jug is empty, that means, time to go home.” But though Mamá reminds the duo to “drink lots of agua,” Jesús is elaborately unstinting with the water, splashing it on his face and offering it to every animal he sees. By 10:30 a.m., none remains for drinking, and there are still 11 houses to go. Assuring a worried Jesús that he won’t be fired, Papá explains that making things fun—for example by pretending a water jug has magical powers—doesn’t obviate the day’s responsibilities, then offers an opportunity to refill the bucket. Exuberantly scribbled pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, and crayon drawings by Kinkz (Goldie’s Guide to Grandchilding) give the animated prose an exuberant immediacy and plenty of heart. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Albert Lee, United Talent Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (June)