Francisco Alarcón

Children's Author

Francisco X. Alarcón (1954–2016) was an award-winning poet who wrote for both children and adults. Born in Los Angeles, California, he considered himself “bi-national,” having spent time as a child in both Mexico and the United States. He expressed this in a poem: “I carry my roots with me all the time/Rolled up I use them as my pillow” Alarcón’s poetry was inspired by songs he heard from his grandmother, which he presented for readers in both English and in Spanish.

 

Biography

Like many other Mexicans at the time, Francisco Alarcon’s grandparents moved to the U.S. following the Mexican Revolution (1910-917). They returned to Mexico after the Big Depression. Alarcon’s U.S. born mother and uncles returned to the U.S. in the 40s during the war effort. For Alarcon, who was born in the U.S. but also lived in Guadalajara, Mexico as a child, the border doesn’t really exist. Francisco Alarcon is a bi-national, bi-cultural, bilingual poet and educator. His children’s books vividly paint pictures of Latino culture, family, fun, and flavor. Alarcón directed the Spanish for Native Speakers Program at the University of California, Davis, before his death in 2016.

Books by this author

Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems

Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems

Francisco Alarcón
Age Level:
6-9
Genre:
Poetry
Animal Poems of the Iguazu

Animal Poems of the Iguazu

Francisco Alarcón
Age Level:
6-9
Genre:
Poetry, Nonfiction
From the Bellybutton of the Moon and other Summer Poems / Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas de verano

From the Bellybutton of the Moon and other Summer Poems / Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas de verano

Francisco Alarcón
Age Level:
6-9
Genre:
Poetry
Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems

Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems

Francisco Alarcón
Age Level:
6-9
Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

Francisco Alarcón
Age Level:
6-9
Genre:
Poetry
Poems to Dream Together

Poems to Dream Together

Francisco Alarcón
Illustrator:
Paula Barragan
Age Level:
6-9
Genre:
Poetry

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