Children are our only hope for continuing traditions, according to Francisco X. Alarcon, a renowned bilingual poet and director of the Spanish for Native Speakers program at the University of California, Davis.

On Feb. 9, Alarcon spoke at the University of Arizona Poetry Center about childhood memories and why he especially loves teaching and writing for children.

"I’m giving up on adults," joked Alarcon. "I like working with children because they have open minds, and are open to ideas. My college students think I’m trying to lecture them about religion when I teach Mesoamerican mythology, but it has nothing to do with religion."

Alarcon’s famous and award-winning series of four children’s books, each representing a different season, have proven successful with his young audience.

Although he is a California native, Alarcon spent much of his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico with his grandmother, learning about his "roots.” He uses these personal memories and experiences in Mexico throughout his books.

For example, the title for one of his children’s books, “Iguanas in the Snow,” a collection of winter-related poems, is inspired by a one wintery day in his youth.

"My family used old military clothing to keep warm while sledding and I remember us all saying we looked like iguanas in the snow," Alarcon said.

The importance of preserving his ancestors’ traditions is what Alarcon tries to stress to his readers with his poetry.

"We know Eve, we know Adam," Alarcon said. "Why don’t we know about Mesoamerican mythology?”

In addition to his writing, Alarcon also finds other ways to share his Chicano heritage with his community. He is currently on a committee for the celebration and recognition of “Dia de Los Muertos” (Day of the Dead), the only Mexican holiday that has not been commercialized.

Writing has been a passion for Alarcon since he was 13 years old. Although poetry for children was not his initial focus or intention, it came naturally and he liked the response that the children gave him.

"A poem makes us see everything for the first time," said Alarcon. "Children look at the pictures and listen to the words and they are able to see things."

Alarcon also mentioned many of his adult-based poems in his lecture. Through them, he is able express himself in a different and more mature tone. Despite his preference for working with children, Alarcon is equally talented speaking to both audiences.

Alarcon concluded his lecture with a poem reading and a last comment about the importance of working with children and implementing different types of cultures into thier education.

"They are the hope for carrying on these traditions," he said. "If we don't start telling them now, they will be lost."

Listen to a poem reading by Alarcon:




A list of works by Francisco X Alarcon