Angel City

Picture books can be a lot more than a sweet story for preschoolers that you read them at bedtime. Some picture books are not sweet, are not for little children and may not make for good bedtime tales. Angel City is one of those kinds of books: an amazing, profound and powerful read that doesn't quite fit the familiar mold. The reader gets that little chill that announces this book is something special just looking at the cover showing an old black man comforting a young Mexican child. Angel City is a stunning and unusual picture book that takes on some tough issues with a heart and poignancy that sings through the words. If you ever thought picture books were just kid stuff, this book might change your mind. Tony Johnston is the author of over 100 books for children, and doesn't appear to be losing her touch for creating thought provoking stories. The text in this particular picture book is lyrical, the story told in poetic rather than straight narrative sentences. An old black man lives in the tough part of town where he finds a baby abandoned in a Dumpster. He takes in the tiny Mexican baby and raises the boy himself. The story follows both of them as Juan grows up. But this isn't a tale of rainbows and cheerful adventures. From the first page, Johnston is taking us on a tour of poverty stricken Los Angeles with its homeless and its gang wars. As the old man Joseph mutters when finding Juan: "Where's the love?" The question, spoken with a cynical edge, is nevertheless answered in the love that Joseph has for the boy. Johnston's themes are at once heart wrenching and inspiring--for even faced with all the hardships that life has set against them, people still find room to care and thrive in spite of it all. Joseph raises Juan with the help of his neighbors and learns about the Mexican culture and language so that he can provide the boy with them. But every day Joseph worries about the boy growing up in an environment full of guns and knives and other hurtful things. The story continues with a school age Juan befriending another young boy, Chucho. But then a stray bullet kills Chucho and 9-year-old Juan is left heartbroken over his friend who will never get to see his 10th birthday. The story ends with Joseph comforting Juan. The choice to go with a poetic style appears to be a good one: had this story been told narrative style, the emotional energy may not have come through as clearly and the story might have become pedantic rather than poignant. The story itself is to be commended on tackling topics that are hard issues for even adults to deal with, and not succumbing to any kind of happily-ever-after mentality. Unfortunately, I did find the story lost its central thread when the narrative shifted away from Old Joseph to include Chucho. From the start, this has been Juan and Joseph's story, focused on their relationship as Juan grows from baby to toddler, to ten year old boy. The introduction of Chucho feels a bit jarring,