PEDRO'S YO-YOS

How the toy that taught millions to “walk the dog” and “rock the baby” came to America.

In the wake of the American occupation of the Philippines following the Spanish–American War, Pedro Flores (1896-1963) emigrated at 15 to work as a bellhop. He invented a refined version of what was known in his childhood as a yo-yo—a term that means “come back” in Tagalog—and ended up having to open multiple factories to keep pace with the demand. When he later sold the business to Chicago entrepreneur Donald Duncan, he stayed on for years and oversaw promotional demonstrations and competitions that sent the popular toy all over the world and even into space. Though, as the author explains in an afterword, the yo-yo (first called a “bandalore” and originally from China) was known in other countries, it was not all that popular until Flores redesigned it with a slip-string to make it more versatile; he also came up with some of the most spectacular yo-yo tricks himself. One illustration of him dramatically showing them off before an astounded crowd may inspire young yo-yo enthusiasts to make use of the helpful leads to print handbooks and websites found at the tail end. Bright smiles on the faces in Angel’s illustrations add even more warmth to Peñas’ insightful and stirring account.

A glowing addition to the stories of immigrants who have made good in this, their new country.