Paletero Man

by Lucky Diaz, Micah Player (Illustrator), Dr. Carmen Tafolla (Translator)

Overview

A vibrant picture book celebrating the strength of community and the tastes of summer from Latin Grammy-winning musician Lucky Diaz and celebrated artist Micah Player.

Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all!

What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José!

Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.

Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes.

Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author’s note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band’s popular song that inspired the book.

A Junior Library Guild Selection!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063089556
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/01/2021
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lucky Diaz is a Grammy Award-winning, multi–Latin Grammy-winning author, musician, and taco lover whose storytelling spans music, television, and literature. As a first-generation Mexican American, his work celebrates identity, joy, and community, bringing vibrant, bilingual narratives to young readers.

His debut picture book, Paletero Man, became an instant classic, earning starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and ALA Booklist. Recognized for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural richness, the book established Lucky as a dynamic voice in children’s literature. All his picture books, including La Guitarrista and his most recent, Fix-It Familia, continue his mission of uplifting Latiné stories.

Before entering the literary world, Lucky redefined family entertainment as the frontman of Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band. His trailblazing career in children’s music earned historic Grammy and Latin Grammy wins and acclaim from Billboard, NPR, and the New York Times. His Emmy-winning PBS series, Lishy Lou and Lucky Too, showcased his creativity in children’s television.

Lucky lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Alisha, their daughter, Indiana, and their dog, Django. 

Micah Player began his career designing and illustrating for Paul Frank Industries in Southern California. He is the author of Chloe, Instead and the illustrator of several books and games for children, including Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz. He lives in a little house beneath a giant tree in the Utah mountains, with a lovely schoolteacher named Stephanie. They are the parents of two rad kids, one Yorkshire terrier, and several Casio keyboards. micahplayer.com

Editorial Reviews

The unifying lure of paleta love underscores the joys all people—regardless of differences—have in common.  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Filled with life and joy, this story is an upbeat, multi-sensory experience that honors the breadth and harmony of multiculturalism in Diaz’s LA hometown.

— School Library Journal (starred review)

A wonderfully executed treat of a book with a sweet community focus.  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Depicts wonderful examples of kindness, community, and delicious paletas." — Booklist (starred review)

Diaz’s story in verse, with its chantable refrain and kid-sized dollop of tension, is a paean to Eighth Street Los Angeles food culture. Whether it’s sourced from a street cart, a taqueria freezer, or the library’s back room refrigerator, we all know what the storytime treat will be.  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Paletero Man is a celebration of a culturally specific experience – but the juicy and colorful world inside makes this story accessible and welcoming for all readers. — Tori Kerr of SiriusXM Kids Place Live

[A] homage to Mexican culture—both in Mexico and in the U.S. The story is as delightful as a juicy paleta de horchata or melón, and highly recommended. — De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children 

[A] unique and entertaining children's picture book...especially recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections. — Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

[A] unique and entertaining children's picture book...especially recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.

Midwest Book Review

[A] homage to Mexican culture—both in Mexico and in the U.S. The story is as delightful as a juicy paleta de horchata or melón, and highly recommended.

De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children 

"Depicts wonderful examples of kindness, community, and delicious paletas."

Booklist (starred review)

Diaz’s story in verse, with its chantable refrain and kid-sized dollop of tension, is a paean to Eighth Street Los Angeles food culture. Whether it’s sourced from a street cart, a taqueria freezer, or the library’s back room refrigerator, we all know what the storytime treat will be. 

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Paletero Man is a celebration of a culturally specific experience – but the juicy and colorful world inside makes this story accessible and welcoming for all readers.

Tori Kerr of SiriusXM Kids Place Live

Diaz’s story in verse, with its chantable refrain and kid-sized dollop of tension, is a paean to Eighth Street Los Angeles food culture. Whether it’s sourced from a street cart, a taqueria freezer, or the library’s back room refrigerator, we all know what the storytime treat will be. 

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Diaz’s story in verse, with its chantable refrain and kid-sized dollop of tension, is a paean to Eighth Street Los Angeles food culture. Whether it’s sourced from a street cart, a taqueria freezer, or the library’s back room refrigerator, we all know what the storytime treat will be. 

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

★ 2021-04-14
Money flies out of an excited Latinx boy’s holey pockets as he runs toward his favorite drippy, slurpy treat.

Is it tamales? Korean BBQ tacos? NO! There’s only time for one thing today: an ice cold paleta from Paletero José. “In the hottest month, / on the hottest day, / in the city of Dreamers, / California—LA.” This semibilingual rhyming story races down Eighth Street with the protagonist, who greets food vendors and shopkeepers as he goes, to the teeming park where the Mexican paleta pushcart’s bell rings. Now for the hard part—which flavor to choose? “¿Chocolate, elote, / sandía, o fresa, / arroz con leche, / miel, o cereza?” The boy’s adamant; only piña will hit the spot. A smiling José hands over a pineapple paleta, but wait—where’s the money? It’s lost! Tragedy is averted when the child spies the neighborhood merchants who have followed him across town with his money clutched in their hands. Impressed by their kindness, Paletero José gives out free paletas to everyone. Latin Grammy winner Diaz’s story, based on his bestselling song of the same name (link included on book cover), is a jaunty tour through the vibrant, diverse streets of Los Angeles. Although there is no glossary for fledgling paleta aficionados, Player’s vibrant, attention-grabbing illustrations highlight both the mouth-pleasing treats and the congenial interactions within the multiethnic/multiracial community. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

The unifying lure of paleta love underscores the joys all people—regardless of differences—have in common. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews