BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
For centuries, Mesoamerican and Aztec "word painters" created beautiful books recording the stories of their people. They were laid out flat for reading but were folded up for storage. The paper and paints were made by hand. These writers were highly educated, as they needed to understand religion, astronomy, war, and history and be able to express themselves through their drawings and paintings. The skills were passed from parents to children, and the books were often read at festivals.
Duncan Tonatiuh includes words from Nahuatl, an ancient language which still exists today. They are set in a context, so the reader knows what they mean, however, a glossary with a pronunciation guide is included. There is also an extensive author's note and some excellent websites and sources. Tonatiuh's illustrations are beautiful, and reminiscent of the ancient carvings in Mexico.
Lisa Librarian
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