Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock

An absolute delight! A hilarious intergenerational story of father and son working together. Love Jesús’ cheery voice and enthusiasm to mind the water jug and help his father. Their relationship is warm and close. It’s Saturday and Jesús gets to help Papá at his work, the family-owned gardening service. Papá puts him in charge of the magical water-jug clock; when it’s empty, that means it’s time to go home. However Jesús manages to empty the jug by 10:30 a.m., not only by pouring cups for him and Papá but also giving water to the clients’ pets and splashing water on his face. He’s disappointed that the jug is not magic and that Papá may fire him from the family business, but Papá points out that he was trying to make show more the work fun for them because “work is easier when you can play and have fun at the same time.” show less

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Jesus is excited to help Papa at work, and even more excited about the magical water-jug clock (one of those ubiquitous orange 5-gallon water coolers with a white top) that will tell them when it's time to go home. Jesus draws a clock face on it, and is generous with drinking water for himself, his Papa, and the animals they encounter as they go from house to house. When the jug is empty and Jesus announces it's time to go home, Papa kindly brings him back to reality: "Mijo, it's only 10:30 in the morning, and we still have eleven more houses to do before the workday is over. It's not time to go home, at all....The water jug isn't really a magical clock...We can't go home just because it's empty." Jesus only freaks out a show more little before accepting his Papa's explanation that he is trying to make work fun ("you're my partner, but you're also my kid"), and he is not fired from the family business. They get more water and finish their work, and Jesus realizes, "Time and water are precious. We don't want to waste them."

See also: The Paper Kingdom show less

Honestly, I had never heard of Mexican-American comedian Jesús Trejo, nor did I know that this divine children’s book had also been published in English as Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock — although I’m very glad that non-Spanish speakers will be able to enjoy this book too.

Young Jesús loves to go to work with his landscaper father every Saturday, where they mow, prune, water and plant the yards and gardens of a dozen of the well-to-do. Jesús delights in spending time with his Papá and in knowing that he, too, contributes to the family business. Papá tells him that the enchanted water barrel they take with them to the various jobs is also a clock! That’s because, when the water is gone, it’s time to go home.

Needless to show more say, the water runs out early, and Jesús learns that the real magic is families working and spending time together. What a wonderful message in a humorous book! The illustrations by Eliza Kinkz fit the vibe of this offbeat book.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Astra Publishing House in exchange for an honest review. show less

Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock is a charming and imaginative story about a young child’s bond with their father. The book blends creativity and family values as it shares the special moments between father and child. Jesús Trejo’s writing is heartfelt, and Eliza Kinkz’s illustrations bring the magical world of the story to life. What I love about this book is how it celebrates family, tradition, and the magic found in everyday moments. Great for grades K-3.

This was an interesting read. Papa and son go to work on a Saturday. They have many yards that they have to tend and Papa tells the son that they can tell time by the water jug. When the water jug is empty, they get to go home. However, son did a little bit more with water than drink it. He splashes his back, he waters the pets, and when the water jug is empty it’s only 10:30 am papa has to admit that it’s not a magical water jug. It was just a way to make the day a fun adventure for Papa and son. This book is quite lovely and very smart. It shows a life of hard work, and that that work has to get done. I love this book and I love the illustrations that also prove you don’t have to color in the lines to make a great art.

This book is about a boy named Jesús whose papá builds a special water jug clock while they wait to be reunited as a family. This would be a meaningful read aloud when talking about immigration and family.

This book was super cute. As I was looking through it, I noticed all sorts of different things. The fun colors that it had. This book also showed a father-son bond. This book could be for ages 4-8. This book shows the young boy responsiblity as he helps his dad with water jugs.