New Releases by Duncan Tonatiuh

From Sibert Award– and Pura Belpré Medal–winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh comes a highly original fable inspired by Mexican folk art The city of Mousetepec is a lively place filled with color, music, and alegría (joy). But everything changes one night when the shadow of un gato appears, growing larger and larger until it looms over the whole city. Fiestas are cancelled and the mercado empties as the cat terrorizes the townsfolk. To save their town, two little mouse siblings—Vida and her brother, Máximo—make a brave plan to scare away the cat after a bright, fantastical creature called an alebrije appears to them in a dream. Acclaimed author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh presents this imaginative fable that will encourage young readers to confront any “shadows” they may face in their lives with a spirit of courage and alegría. Includes a note on alebrijes, the inspiration behind this fable, glossary, pronunciation guide, and bibliography Also available: Vida: Los ratones, el gato y el alebrije (Spanish Edition)

Explore a world of shapes in this vibrant, bilingual picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh From award-winning and beloved author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes ¡Felicidades!, a celebratory bilingual concept picture book of shapes featuring a birthday party. ¡Felicidades! includes a double gatefold finale reveal, and a brief author’s note in English and Spanish that lends additional context. cuadrado–una mesa/square–a table circulo–un pastel/circle–a cake triangulo–gorritos/triangle–party hats ovalo–globos/oval–balloons rectángulo–regalos/rectangle–gifts diamante–un papalote/diamond–a kite medio circulo–rebanadas de fruta/half-circle–fruit slices pentágonos y hexágonos–un balón de fútbol/pentagons and hexagons–a soccer ball estrella–una piñata/star–a piñata corazón–una paleta/heart–a lollipop ¡Feliz cumpleaños!/Happy birthday!

Explore a world of colors in ¡Fiesta!, a vibrant, bilingual picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. A celebratory bilingual concept picture book, this book of colors features a street fiesta with green avocados, yellow tortillas, purple dance dresses, and brown charro pants—concluding with a double gatefold finale reveal. Included at the back of the book is a brief author’s note that lends additional context to individual objects showcased.

Galardonado creador Duncan Tonatiuh da vida a una querida leyenda mexicana ¡Mención de Honor del Premio Pura Belpré al Ilustrador y un Libro Infantil Notable de ALA/ALSC! Itza era la princesa más hermosa de la tierra, y muchos pretendientes viajaban de todas partes para cortejarla. Aun siendo la hija del emperador, Itza no quería casarse con un hombre de poder y riqueza. En cambio, se enamoró de Popoca, un valiente guerrero que peleaba en el ejército de su padre, quien no le ofreció riquezas, sino la promesa de quedarse a su lado para siempre. El emperador no quería que su hija se casara con un simple guerrero, aunque reconocía la valentía de Popoca. Por lo que le ofreció un trato: si el guerrero lograba derrotar a su enemigo, Garra de Jaguar, entonces el emperador les permitiría casarse a Itza y a Popoca. Pero Garra de Jaguar tenía un plan para frustrar al guerrero. ¿Estará todo perdido? Hoy existen dos majestuosos volcanes, Popocatépetl e Iztaccíhuatl, que pueden verse desde la Ciudad de México. Ellos han sido admirados y venerados por muchas generaciones, dando origen a varias historias y mitos acerca de su creación. En La princesa y el guerrero, el premiado autor e ilustrador Duncan Tonatiuh nos relata una de las leyendas mas queridas de México. La integración de palabras en náhuatl (definidas con una guía de pronunciación en el glosario) en la narración brinda una gran oportunidad para presentar y explorar otra faceta de la antigua cultura azteca.

En esta biografía impactante y vibrante, el galardonado creador Duncan Tonatiuh echa luz sobre el legado de un legendario capoeirista, Mestre Bimba, quien se resistió a la opresión racial a través del arte y convirtió una práctica marginada en un fenómeno global. A powerful biography that sheds light on the legacy of a legendary capoeira player, Mestre Bimba, who resisted racial oppression through art and turned a marginalized practice into a global phenomenon. Una meia lua silbó a través del aire. El golpe fue evadido y le siguió un aú. Dos jóvenes estaban jugando a la capoeira en medio de la roda. Bimba también quería jugar. Aunque se debate cuándo y dónde se originó exactamente la capoeira, una forma de arte que combina las artes marciales, la danza, las acrobacias, la música y la espiritualidad, una cosa es segura: a principios del siglo XX Brasil era el único país en el mundo en el que se jugaba a la capoeira, y era practicada principalmente por personas de ascendencia africana. En 1890, dos años después de que Brasil aboliera oficialmente la esclavitud, el juego fue prohibido. La sociedad rica y de piel más clara temía y menospreciaba la capoeira, viéndola como un juego de “malandros”, como llamaban las personas en el poder a las comunidades negras y pobres a las que despreciaban. Pero, a principios de la década de 1920 en la ciudad de Salvador, un hombre llamado Bimba abogaría por que la capoeira, y quienes la practicaban, fueran tratados con la dignidad y el respeto que se merecían. La prosa lírica y el adorado estilo de ilustración de Duncan Tonatiuh, inspirado en los códices precolombinos, cuentan la historia de quien se podría decir fue el mejor capoeirista de todos los tiempos, quien luchó para convertir una actividad afrobrasileña perseguida e incomprendida en un arte célebre y practicado por millones de personas en todo el mundo. En 2014, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) designó a la capoeira como un Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad, una distinción otorgada por su promoción de la integración social y la memoria que guarda de la lucha contra la opresión histórica. En Juego de libertad, el galardonado Tonatiuh nos brinda una conmovedora celebración de la solidaridad y la resistencia a través del arte.

Siete años antes de Brown v. Board of Education, la familia Méndez luchó para acabar con la segregación en las escuelas de California. Descubre su increíble historia en este libro para niños del galardonado creador Duncan Tonatiuh. ¡Mención de Honor del Premio Pura Belpré al Ilustrador y Mención de Honor del Premio Robert F. Sibert! Cuando su familia se mudó al pueblo de Westminster, California, la pequeña Silvia Méndez estaba entusiasmada con inscribirse en la escuela de su vecindario. Pero ella y sus hermanos fueron rechazados y les dijeron que, en vez, tenían que asistir a la escuela mexicana. Sylvia no podía entender por qué; era una ciudadana estadounidense que hablaba inglés perfectamente. ¿Por qué obligaban a los hijos de familias mexicanas a asistir a otra escuela? Al no poder obtener una respuesta satisfactoria de la junta escolar, la familia Méndez decidió tomar cartas en el asunto y organizar una demanda. Al final, los esfuerzos de la familia Méndez ayudaron a acabar con la educación segregada en California en 1947, siete años antes de que el fallo histórico del Tribunal Supremo en el caso Brown v. Board of Education terminara con la segregación en las escuelas de todo Estados Unidos. Con su distintivo estilo de ilustración e incorporando sus entrevistas con Sylvia Méndez, así como información de archivos judiciales y noticias, el galardonado autor e ilustrador Duncan Tonatiuh cuenta la inspiradora historia de la lucha de la familia Méndez por la justicia y la igualdad.

Count up to ten in this bilingual picture book celebrating Día de Muertos / Day of the Dead from award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh From award-winning and beloved author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes this celebratory bilingual picture book centering on a Día de Muertos ofrenda (Day of the Dead altar), constructed annually to honor the memory and welcome the spirit of a loved one. The book uses a counting structure, from one to ten, to focus on family members and their offerings, with a double-gatefold finale that opens to reveal the family gathered around the fully decorated ofrenda with all of their offerings. Included at the back of the book is a brief author’s note that lends additional context on the holiday. Cuenta hasta diez y celebra el Día de Muertos / Day of the Dead con este libro ilustrado bilingüe del galardonado autor-ilustrador Duncan Tonatiuh Este festivo libro ilustrado bilingüe del galardonado y querido autor-ilustrador Duncan Tonatiuh se centra en un altar del Día de Muertos, construido anualmente para honrar la memoria y recibir al espíritu de un ser amado. El libro, con una estructura que cuenta del uno al diez, se enfoca en los miembros de una familia y sus ofrendas. El gran final incluye paginas dobles despegables que revelan a la familia alrededor del altar decorado con todas las ofrendas. Al termino de la historia hay una breve nota del autor que ofrece mas información acerca de la festividad.

Award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh sheds light on the significance of Aztec manuscripts and culture in his picture book A Land of Books. A 2023 Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Honor Book Our world, little brother, is an amoxtlalpan, a land of books. In the jungles where the jaguar dwells, the Mayas make books. In the mountains the cloud people, the Mixtecs, make them as well. So do others in the coast and in the forests. And we the Mexica of the mighty Aztec empire, who dwell in the valley of the volcanoes, make them too. A young Aztec girl tells her little brother how their parents create beautiful painted manuscripts, or codices. She explains to him how paper is made from local plants and how the long paper is folded into a book. Her parents and others paint the codices to tell the story of their people’s way of life, documenting their history, science, tributes, and sacred rituals. Duncan Tonatiuh’s lyrical prose and beloved illustration style, inspired by the pre-Columbian codices, tell the story of how—contrary to the historical narrative that European colonizers bestowed “civilization” and knowledge to the Americas—the Aztec and their neighbors in the Valley of Mexico painted books and records long before Columbus arrived, and continued doing so among their Nahua-speaking descendants for generations after the Spanish Conquest. From an award-winning author-illustrator, A Land of Books pays tribute to Mesoamerican ingenuity and celebrates the universal power of books.

Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl--the Feathered Serpent--who embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind. Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life this retelling of the myth of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica.

Diego Rivera, one of the most famous painters of the twentieth century, was once just a mischievous little boy who loved to draw. But this little boy would grow up to follow his passion and greatly influence the world of art.Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, drawing inspiration from Rivera to create his own original work, helps young readers to understand the importance of Diego Rivera's artwork and to realize that they too can tell stories through art.

José de la Luz Sáenz (Luz) was born in the United States, and often faced prejudice because of his Mexican heritage. When World War I broke out, Luz joined the army, however, he found that prejudice followed him even to war. Upon his return to Texas, he joined forces with other Mexican American veterans to create the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which today is the largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization. Using his signature illustration style and Luz's diary entries from the war, Tonatiuh tells the story of a Mexican American war hero and his fight for equality.

Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings an ancient Mesoamerican creation myth to life Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind. Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.

The incredible story of one man’s fight for Mexican-American civil rights, from award-winning picture book creator Duncan Tonatiuh A 2020 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book! José de la Luz Sáenz (Luz) believed in fighting for what was right. Though born in the United States, Luz often faced prejudice because of his Mexican heritage. Determined to help his community, even in the face of discrimination, he taught school—children during the day and adults in the evenings. When World War I broke out, Luz joined the army, as did many others. His ability to quickly learn languages made him an invaluable member of the Intelligence Office in Europe. However, Luz found that prejudice followed him even to war, and despite his efforts, he often didn’t receive credit for his contributions. Upon returning home to Texas, he joined with other Mexican American veterans to create the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which today is the largest and oldest Latinx civil rights organization. Using his signature illustration style and Luz’s diary entries from the war, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of a Mexican American war hero and his fight for equality.

Undocumented is the story of immigrant workers who have come to the United States without papers. Every day, these men and women join the work force and contribute positively to society. The story is told via the ancient Mixtec codex—accordion fold—format. Juan grew up in Mexico working in the fields to help provide for his family. Struggling for money, Juan crosses over into the United States and becomes an undocumented worker, living in a poor neighborhood, working hard to survive. Though he is able to get a job as a busboy at a restaurant, he is severely undercompensated—he receives less than half of the minimum wage! Risking his boss reporting him to the authorities for not having proper resident papers, Juan risks everything and stands up for himself and the rest of the community.

Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of Amalia Hernández, dancer and founder of El Ballet Folklórico de México. Published in time for the 100th anniversary of Hernández’s birth, Danza! is the first picture book about the famous dancer and choreographer. Danza! is a celebration of Hernández’s life and of the rich history of dance in Mexico. As a child, Amalia always thought she would grow up to be a teacher, until she saw a performance of dancers in her town square. She was fascinated by the way the dancers twirled and swayed, and she knew that someday she would be a dancer, too. She began to study many different types of dance, including ballet and modern, under some of the best teachers in the world. Hernández traveled throughout Mexico studying and learning regional dances. Soon she founded her own dance company, El Ballet Folklórico de México, where she integrated her knowledge of ballet and modern dance with folkloric dances. The group began to perform all over the country and soon all over the world, becoming an international sensation that still tours today. Duncan Tonatiuh’s picture books have been honored with many awards and accolades, including the Pura Belpré Award, the Robert F. Sibert Award, and the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award. With Tonatiuh’s distinctive Mixtec-inspired artwork and colorful drawings that seem to leap off the page, Danza! will enthrall and inspire young readers with the fascinating story of this important dancer and choreographer.

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life. A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors . . . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) “Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths. The integration of Nahuatl words (defined with a pronunciation guide in the glossary) into the narrative provides a rich opportunity to introduce and explore another facet of ancient Aztec culture. Take your child on an adventure back in time to a land of color and beauty.

Two cousins—one in the United States and one in Mexico—learn their lives aren’t so different in this charming picture book from award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book! Meet Charlie and Carlitos. Charlie lives in America. Carlitos, his primo, lives in Mexico. Charlie takes the subway to school, plays basketball with his friends, and loves pizza. Carlitos rides his bicicleta to school and enjoys playing fútbol at recess, and his favorite meal is quesadillas. Their lives appear different, but do Charlie and Carlitos have more in common than it seems? Through his artwork and story, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh introduces young readers to a very timely idea—that community is larger than just neighborhoods and schools.

Funny Bones tells the story of how the amusing calaveras—skeletons performing various everyday or festive activities—came to be. They are the creation of Mexican artist José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852–1913). In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he first drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons throughout much of his life, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe’s, author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity. The book includes an author’s note, bibliography, glossary, and index.

"Years before the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez, an eight-year-old girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, played an instrumental role in Mendez v. Westminster, the landmark desegregation case of 1946 in California"--

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote is an allegorical picture book about the hardships and struggles of immigration from award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. A Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator Honor Book! An ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! Papa Rabbit left two years ago to travel far away north to find work in the great carrot and lettuce fields to earn money for his family. When Papa does not return home on the designated day, Pancho sets out to find him. He packs Papa’s favorite meal—mole, rice and beans, a heap of still-warm tortillas, and a jug full of fresh aguamiel—and heads north. Along the way, Pancho crosses a river, climbs a fence, and passes through a tunnel guarded by uniformed, bribe-taking snakes. He soon meets a coyote, who offers to help Pancho in exchange for some of Papa’s favorite foods. They travel together until the food is gone and the coyote decides he is still hungry . . . for Pancho! Tonatiuh enlivens Pancho’s story with the spirit of regional folklore, and he adds cultural atmosphere in arresting, flat folk art filled with cultural references. Of course, “coyote” has two meanings here. With tenderness and honesty, he brings to light the trials and tribulations facing families who seek to make better lives for themselves and their children by illegally crossing borders. “Incandescent, humane and terribly necessary.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) “Pancho Rabbit’s trip has the feel of a classic fable or fairy tale.” ―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Discover the life and legacy of celebrated Mexican artist Diego Rivera in this picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh A Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner! Diego Rivera, one of the most famous painters of the twentieth century, was once just a mischievous little boy who loved to draw. But this little boy would grow up to follow his passion and greatly influence the world of art. After studying in Spain and France as a young man, Diego was excited to return to his home country of Mexico. There, he toured from the coasts to the plains to the mountains. He met the peoples of different regions and explored the cultures, architecture, and history of those that had lived before. Returning to Mexico City, he painted great murals representing all that he had seen. He provided the Mexican people with a visual history of who they were and, most important, who they are. Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, who has also been inspired by the art and culture of his native Mexico, asks, if Diego was still painting today, what history would he tell through his artwork? What stories would he bring to life? Drawing inspiration from Rivera to create his own original work, Tonatiuh helps young readers to understand the importance of Diego Rivera’s artwork and to realize that they too can tell stories through art.