Papalote, Papelito
An ode to picture books that embody rhythm and poetry- and remind us to allow space in our interpretations and intimate interactions with the natural world.
Originally published in 2004, “papalote, papelito” is a picture book by Mexican writer, poet, and psychologist Carmen Villoro, and illustrated by Alberto Castro Leñero.
A book that defies categories. It reflects our ability to create from abstraction… to play with meaning and scale. A kite, made up of colorful bits and pieces of paper takes flight and soon it becomes a mere dot in the firmament. The night sky is really- upon closer inspection a soup of stars, flowers turn into birds, a nod to the ineffable urge to re-create, to regenerate.
This story fears not expressing the full spectrum of human emotions. A young child seating cross legged -lands my heart as a reminder that we all carry a darkness within. The image is accompanied by a Canción about our capacity, if not an inclination, to care, to notice the softness. And to be playful as we traverse life and find our ways in and out of that tenderness. The song speaks of seeing the world through such innocence. Forever not the same, changed by that particular form of love.
The spread entitled “Caracol” with the image of a snail against an ocean blue- led me to think of the toys I must have left behind at the beach, in that end of the day summer haze- the things I failed to notice when they stood right in front of my eyes, and to discover that most species of snails are in fact marine ones 🐌 Sea Snails…
This picture book was lent by a dear friend @milena_solot - mother, writer, storyteller. She has a way of looking with singular awareness and thinking beyond thought itself. On a Saturday afternoon we sat at her terrace and talked while we watched that small red bird. Having heard about this project she invited me to look through her shelves- the stories she told her boys over the years.
Borrowed books taste even better.
m.
Book: Papalote, papelito
Published: 2005, Editorial SM (Mexico)
Words by: Carmen Villoro
Illustrations by: Alberto Castro Leñero
