Materials from Mexico
From the copper canyons of Mexico her swift footsteps echo. Clip clap, clip clap. Experience a 60-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramirez, who captured the world’s attention when she won an ultramarathon in Mexico wearing a skirt and rubber sandals — the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, the light-footed people.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.
Featured in WOW Review Volume XVIII, Issue 1.
Pedro is a young boy from a family of talented artists specializing in papier-mâché sculptures. Growing up surrounded by creativity, Pedro learns the art of crafting piñatas, masks, and mojigangas—giant puppets used in Mexico’s vibrant parades and festivals. As Pedro grows older, he becomes increasingly involved in the family business, honing his skills in papier-mâché sculpture. However, tragedy strikes when Pedro falls ill, plagued by terrifying nightmares of the mojigangas coming to life and chasing him. In his dreams, he is saved by fierce creatures called alebrijes, who devour the monsters. Inspired by his dreams, Pedro begins to recreate the alebrijes using paper and glue, infusing them with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Soon, his creations attract attention from far and wide, and people flock to buy Pedro’s monster eaters.
Based on the life of artist Pedro Linares, this bilingual picture book weaves together the fascinating origin story of Mexico’s beloved folk art with striking illustrations of the magical creatures Pedro creates. It serves as a captivating introduction to the world of art for young readers and a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of imagination. Perfect for parents and teachers seeking to inspire children’s interest in art and cultural traditions.
To prepare for his school’s Spanish spelling bee, a young boy asks his grandmother for help. There are words he still does not know how to spell. With this simple request, a door is opened for him to learn more about his grandmother’s story as she reveals how she was only allowed to speak English at school when she was a young girl. This story inspires him to study hard for the spelling bee so he can make his family proud. Inspired by the author’s memories of his grandmother’s stories told to him when he was a boy.
Describes the origin and meaning of the Mexican festival of the Days of the Dead, and shows how it is observed by one peasant family.
Fifteen year old Acolmiztli, crown prince of a Pre Columbian Mexico (c. 1418), wants nothing more than to see Tetzcoco thrive. But after a palace plot leaves his father dead, Acolmiztli is forced into exile with his mother and siblings, where they must seek refuge in the wilderness as their lives depend on it. After a coyote comes to their aid by helping Acolmiztli find his way, he takes on the new name of Nezahualcoyotl, or fasting coyote (“Neza” for short). A blend of poetry and prose, including translations of surviving poems written by Nezahualcoyotl, translated from classical Nahuatl by David Bowles, this action-packed epic takes readers on an adventure, bringing to life one of Mexico’s most treasured heroes – Nezahualcoyotl.
Diego Rivera offers young readers unique insight into the life and artwork of the famous Mexican painter and muralist. The book follows Rivera’s career, looking at his influences and tracing the evolution of his style. His work often called attention to the culture and struggles of the Mexican working class. Believing that art should be for the people, he created public murals in both the United States and Mexico, examples of which are included. The book contains a list of museums where you can see Rivera’s art, a historical note, a glossary, and a bibliography.
At Grandma’s house, where Julia is staying without her parents for the first time, the breeze is sweet like jasmine. Mornings begin with sugared bread, and the most magnificent hot chocolate cures all homesickness. There’s something about this place and about Grandma. Like how she can tell when Julia has been quietly picking limes from the garden. Or that she can see the future and knows when Julia is about to fall off her bike. Or how she can journey back in time through the stories she tells. In the room where Julia’s mother grew up, her grandmother holds her in a warm embrace, an embrace that Julia will pass on to her family when her parents arrive with her new baby brother.
Ancient Night is a twist on two Nahuatl traditions: the rabbit which the Feathered Serpent placed on the moon, and Yaushu, the Lord Opossum who ruled the earth before humans came, and who stole fire from the gods to create the sun.
Ana looks out the pet store window with the store’s last remaining animals for sale a dog, a hedgehog and a mouse. What are they waiting for? Ana remembers finding the dog and bringing him to the store as a puppy. She’s watched as all the other dogs, the most charming, the most elegant, the strongest have all gone off. Ana, too, has never left, except at nights when she closes the store and goes home to the modest apartment she shares with her grandmother. But a day comes when the store owner announces that he has sold the store. An office tower will be built in its place. It makes no difference to him what happens to the animals, but Ana knows what she does next will make all the difference to her friends. Because after being together so long, isn’t that what they are?
A spellbinding romantic fantasy about a powerful witch who will do anything to escape the remote island she’s being held captive on, including blackmail a notorious, charming pirate who washes up on shore, from debut author Angela Montoya. Rosalinda is trapped on Sinner’s Isle, an island filled with young women like her—Majestics, beautiful witches loathed by society for their dangerous magic yet revered by powerful men who want to use them. For years, she has been kept under the watchful, calculating eye of Doña Lucia. Now eighteen, Rosa will be the prized commodity at this year’s Offering, a fiesta for the wealthy to engage in drink, damsels, and debauchery. That is why she must flee—before someone forces the vicious phantoms within her to destroy everything she touches.
Handsome, swashbuckling Mariano has long sailed the high seas as the Prince of Pirates. Then the king’s fleet attacks his father’s infamous ship, leaving him marooned on Sinner’s Isle with only an enchanted chain meant to lead him to his heart’s desire. Instead, he falls into the hands of a brazen (although) bewitching headache—Rosa. Together they must outwit each other and their enemies before the Offering ends and it’s too late to escape the perils of Sinner’s Isle.