“This eye-catching combination of brilliant illustrations and eloquently crafted bilingual poems celebrates the animal life and natural beauty of the rainforest. Alarcón reflects his love for the biological diversity of Argentina's Iguazú Waterfalls National Park in graceful free-verse poems…The simple words—often playfully integrated into the illustrations as shaped poems—stress the natural balance of the Iguazú…The multimedia illustrations feature lush, glowing paints that depict the animals (including humans) set against a backdrop of cut-paper strips that comprise the rainforest's verdant growth. Stunning.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“…Gonzalez assembles big, cheerful blocks of tropical color, invoking the falls with Matisse-like fronds of white and light blue…Alarcón writes with a kind of bubbly reverence, avoiding the sententiousness that characterizes much save–the–rain forest literature. Each of the 26 poems appears in both English and Spanish, with many explanatory footnotes; together with the dense illustrations, the effect of the pages duplicates that of the rain forest, jam-packed with things to look at.”
—Publishers Weekly

“...the poems express hope, longing, and give a unique perspective on life as a continuum…The deep, vibrant, and arresting colors convey the great diversity and vivacity of rainforest life… An excellent tools for patterning student poetry, this is also excellent literature....”
—Críticas Magazine, Starred Review

“Alarcón's poems lovingly invite young readers into a vibrant, colorful, and very ‘alive’ world of the Iguazú Waterfalls and Argentine rainforest.”
—Robert Cox, President of the Sierra Club

“Teaching children about the rich biodiversity of the rainforest is a key part of guiding them to become good global citizens. Animal Poems of the Iguazú will enchant young readers while at the same time raise their awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and our natural resources.”
—Tensie Whelan, Executive Director of Rainforest Alliance

“This is a lovely book that illustrates (literally) the restorative benefits of nature time, for children and adults.”
—Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

“The poems capture the conscience and soul of the jungle and will lead children on an enchanting walk through the Iguazú rainforest… Such magical biodiversity will surely inspire the next generation of environmental activists who will learn that all riches are born of the natural world, just as the indigenous Guarani have known for centuries.”
—Jared Blumenfeld, Director of San Francisco Department of Environment