Main_angels_ride_bikes

Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems / Los Ángeles Andan en Bicicleta y otros poemas de otoño

By Francisco X. Alarcón
Illustrated by Maya Gonzalez

Paperback: $11.95

Ebook

Following the success of their award-winning book of spring poems, Laughing Tomatoes, and their acclaimed collection of summer poems, From the Bellybutton of the Moon, poet Francisco Alarcón and artist Maya Gonzalez invite us to experience fall in Los Angeles-the City of Angels-where dreams can come true.

In the poet's whimsical imagination, mariachis play like angels, angels ride bikes, and the earth dances the cha-cha-chá. Alarcón celebrates the simple joys and trials of everyday life: a visit to the outdoor market, the arrival of the ice cream vendor, the first day of school. He honors his family and pays tribute to his mother, who taught him that with hard work and education he could realize his dreams.

Maya Gonzalez's spirited images perfectly complement each poem, bringing to life the people and places in Alarcón’s childhood.

Audio Podcast with Francisco Alarcon and Maya Gonzalez

Watch Francisco Alarcon's interview with Reading Rockets

For educator resources and ideas on how to teach Angels Ride Bikes in the classroom, click here.
 

About the Creators

Thumb_thumb Francisco X. Alarcón - Author

was a renowned poet and educator, and a three-time winner of the Pura Belpré Author Award Honor for his bilingual Magical Cycle of the Seasons series of poetry for children. His many other honors include the American Book Award, the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award, the Chicano Literary Prize, and finalist for state poet laureate of California. Alarcón was also the author of several poetry collections for adults and textbooks for teaching Spanish. In addition, he directed the Spanish for Native Speakers Program at the University of California. Alarcón passed away in early 2016.

Thumb_maya-portrait-11-2017-high-res Maya Gonzalez

is an award-winning children’s book artist, author, activist and progressive educator. Maya's work addresses systemic inequity in relation to race/ethnicity, sexism, and cissexism using children’s books as radical agents of change and healing, both personally and culturally. Maya co-founded Reflection Press, a POC, queer and trans owned independent publishing house that uses holistic, nature-based, and anti-oppression frameworks in their books and materials for kids and grown-ups. Maya is also the creator of the Gender Wheel, a tool to express the dynamic, infinite and inclusive reality of gender, and provides lectures and workshops to educators, parents and caregivers. Visit Maya online at mayagonzalez.com.