Leo Politi (1908–1996)

Mr. Fong's toy shop was a popular gathering place for all of the children in Los Angeles' Chinatown. With the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival approaching, Mr. Fong taught the children about the ancient Chinese art of shadow puppets, and together they all created a very special play to put on during the community's celebration...

Italian-American artist and children's author Leo Politi, who won the Caldecott Medal in 1950 for his Song of the Swallows, and whose work was known for its celebration of show more diverse cultures, turns in this 1978 picture-book to the Chinese community of Los Angeles. Rather text-heavy for a picture-book, Mr. Fong's Toy Shop is an engaging and informative work, one which includes some Moon Festival-related folklore, and a celebration of the art of Chinese puppet theater. The accompanying black-and-white illustrations are charming. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories set during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, or featuring Chinese cultural traditions. show less

It's clear that Politi is devout - consider the line When the nests were blessed with tiny birds...." So some of the prejudice in favor of the Mission is understandable & tolerable.

But to focus on the story of the boy and the birds - I agree that this sweet story with its enchanting pictures deserved a Caldecott. It's still not the best picture book of the era, though, imo, and I'm just not sure of the appeal for children.

Otoh, my favorite from these years, [b:Blueberries for show more Sal|133526|Blueberries for Sal|Robert McCloskey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363586056s/133526.jpg|1416904], definitely has kid appeal - my grown sons still remember it fondly. Also more appealing to kids, and to me, are the honor books [b:Bartholomew and the Oobleck|275320|Bartholomew and the Oobleck|Dr. Seuss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388280889s/275320.jpg|266979] and [b:The Most Wonderful Doll in the World|236645|The Most Wonderful Doll in the World (Blue Ribbon Book)|Phyllis McGinley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387735368s/236645.jpg|2924815]." show less

This lovely picture book tells the story of the Swallows of Capistrano, who return each year on St Joseph’s Day, to build their nests and have new chicks.

Juan is a boy who loves to wander the gardens of the mission, who are tended by Julian. The older man teaches the boy the song of the swallows, calling them by their Spanish name las golondrinas. Helping Julian in the gardens, and watching his beloved swallows, Juan learns about nature and the cycle of life. Julian also tells him a show more little of the history of the Spanish missionaries who built the mission with the help of the native people, and in return taught the Indians several skills, such as making shoes, or milling grain.

The detailed illustrations are beautifully rendered. Full of the soft light of a summer evening, they give me the same feeling of peace as a walk through a garden. I can practically hear the tinkle of the fountain, or the twitter of the birds, and smell the roses. show less

This is a gentle, peaceful story. The setting is the coast of California at the San Juan Capistrano mission. Each year on St. Joseph's Day, the community celebrates the return of the swallows.

Juan, a young boy, often visits Julio the gardener of the mission. Together they observe the birds and enjoy the ebb and flow of the life of the sparrows and the return and then leave, and then another year the cycle begins anew.

The illustrations are clear and pretty, but lack the depth of some recent show more Caldecott winners.

There is a rich blending of cultures, including both Spanish and English words. show less