The Woman Who Outshone the Sun: The Legend of Lucia Zenteno/ La Mujer Que Brillaba Aun Mas Que El Sol: La Leyenda de Lucia Zentgeno (Bilingual English/Spanish)

by Alejandro Cruz Martinez (Author) Fernando Olivera (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Approved Book Award for Outstanding Children's BooksBilingual English/Spanish. A legend of Lucia Zenteno, who is part of the oral history of the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. When Lucia Zenteno walks into a mountain village in central Mexico, some villagers whisper that her long black hair blocks out the sun, and they are afraid. Others say her brilliant hair outshines the sun. Frightened, they banish Lucia from the village and watch in amazement as their precious river follows her, for it loves her and will not leave her. Never had the villagers imagined that their beautiful river would leave them, no matter what they did-and so the whole village sets out to find Lucia and beg for her forgiveness. The legend of Lucia Zenteno is part of the oral history of the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico-a region of Mexico renowned for its rich cultural history with roots that go back many centuries before Columbus. 
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Review quotes

This original Hispanic folktale is skillfully told, and is solidly and colorfully steeped with imagery of earth and sky. Both the Spanish and English read gracefully, and the poetic use of language suits the story well for telling. An excellent discussion starter, dealing as it does with issues of the differences between people and respect for nature, the book has a natural place in multicultural and environmental units. — School Library Journal

An excellent addition to any folklore collection; one of the handsomest yet of [Children's Book Press's] fine multicultural books. — Kirkus Reviews

The story is beautifully told in each language with little impetus, if any, being lost in the translation. — MultiCultural Review

Surreal illustrations, calling to mind a stylistic mixture of William Joyce and Karen Barbour, highlight the richness of the folktale convention and perfectly capture a sense of place. — Publisher's Weekly

Powerfully illustrated by Fernando Olivera, whose work is reminiscent of the early 20th century Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco, principle and integrity flow through this story like the river that Lucia literally wears in her lovely black hair. — San Francisco Chronicle

Luminous, dreamlike paintings perfectly complement the text. — Parenting Magazine

Approved Book
Award for Outstanding Children's Books

Alejandro Cruz Martinez

Alejandro Martinez was a promising young Zapotec poet who spent many years collecting the oral traditions of his people, including the story of Lucia Zeneno. He published his own version of the story as a poem in 1986. Alejandro was killed in 1987 while organizing the Zapotec to regain their lost water rights.

Fernando Olivera is an internationally acclaimed painter who lives in Oaxaca, Mexico. He was fascinated with the story of Lucia Zenteno ever since he first heard it from his close friend Alejandro Cruz Martinez. His work has been shown internationally, in places like Mexico, El Salvador, and the US. His work is influenced by traditional Oaxacan ways of life, myths and legends, and political and social concerns.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780892391264
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Children's Book Press (CA)
Publication date
February 01, 2014
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV012020 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Country & Ethnic - General
Library of Congress categories
Spanish language materials
Bilingual
Mexico
Folklore
Indians of Mexico
Zapotec Indians
Zenteno, Lucia (Legendary character)

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