Song of the Swallows

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 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 show more 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 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 show more 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 Caldecott winners.

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

Compared to most of the books I have read recently this is the most solemn story. The story is soothing and calming because of the soft illustrations. It tells of a sweet boy making friends with swallows and building a garden so they will return each year. The story promotes friendship as well as a sense of self worth. Although the story may be a bit outdated, the theme of friendship reigns true across all generations and cultures.

Every summer, the swallows leave San Juan Capistrano and fly far away, to a peaceful green island -- but they always come back in the spring, on St. Joseph's Day. Juan loves "las golondrinas," and so does his friend, Julian, the gardener at the mission.

This year, Juan plants a garden in his own yard. There's nothing he wants more than for the swallows to nest there. And on St. Joseph's Day, his dream comes true.

Leo Politi is the beloved author and illustrator of "Pedro, The Angel of Olvera Street," among many other books for children. "Song of the Swallows" won the Caldecott Medal in 1950.

This is a gentle picture book about Mission San Juan Capistrano and "las golondrinas" (swallows) that return every St. Joseph Day in the spring. It won the Caldecott medal in 1950 and I remember this book fondly from my childhood. However, it paints a rosy picture of the missions and will have to be balanced with alternative texts.

Although somewhat dated, this is a true story of the Mission San Juan Capistrano and the birds that return each year. The drawings are incredibly accurate, as are the descriptions of the celebrations that accompany their return each year.