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a Bull Pupp enchilada,
with salsa and an ensalada
trucked in tinned from Ensenada
or some place deep under Fresno."
San Francisco's Christmas traditions thrive in the nostalgic photographs and witty verses encompassing this collection. As each day in the week leading up to Christmas takes on a different theme, the day becomes iconic, as do the children's celebratory interpretations of each day. One child's keen admission that "Now that Tortola's is closed, / and Sinaloa too, / and unwilling to descend to the level of Red's, / many of the grownups get hosed" entertains readers with its precocious awareness. The witty reminder that "You've eaten tacos in Waco / and awakened a wacko. / You've snored in Sonora, / done tea in Tijuana" walks readers through the grounds of Playland. And the quiet remembrance of "Saturday nights in San Francisco / were once / reserved for a Pisco / Punch nonce" makes readers long for a seemingly more innocent time that is long, long gone.
In this collection, readers find not only clever, youthful poems that delight with their tongue-in-cheek sensibilities, but they also encounter brief historical lessons that celebrate San Francisco's uniqueness. Brilliant black and white photographs portray a city full of life, freedom, and individualism, making this compilation an appealing choice for fans of coffee table books and photography collections. Too quickly, the book ends with a simple greeting: "Merry Christmas, San Francisco. / Too soon / It will be next year again," which leaves readers willing to return to the book's beginning. There, once again it is Tuesday, and the joys of San Francisco as well as Christmas are fresh and new. This charming book is sure to become a quick conversation piece at parties, book clubs, and historical societies alike.