A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters

by Duncan Tonatiuh (Author)

A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh sheds light on the significance of Aztec manuscripts and culture

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.

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Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus

Starred Review
Tonatiuh's respect and reverence for the subject shine through loud and clear as he shares knowledge of Mesoamerican books almost lost to the past. . .Utterly indispensable.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

In Tonatiuh's engaging picture book, a Mexihcah child describes intricate wordless volumes created in Mesoamerica before the arrival of Europeans, interweaving Nahuatl words defined in a glossary: "Our parents are tlahcuilohqueh, painters of words. The amoxtin they make tell the stories of our gods, our history, our people." Riveting spreads detail the objects' format and make, ample studies behind their content and symbology ("religion, astronomy, warfare, and history"), as well as social norms around their reading, by "only noblemen, priests, and wise elders." Through a dream sequence, subsequent pages delve into the books' rich contents, including central deities and methods of governance, calendaring, and healing, all shown in richly hued art that mimics the codices' detailed format, and leading to a contextualizing author's note that describes colonizing forces' devastating effect. Ages 4-8. (Nov.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 2-5--A young girl tells her brother the story of the tlahcuilohqueh, painters of words. She slowly tells her brother all about the stories they make, what happens to them, and the pride of her family in doing this job. Tonatiuh has created a story that blends cultures and historical facts into words students will understand. The mix of English and Spanish comprise a simple vocabulary aided by a glossary at the end which facilitates bilingual readers and learners alike. The spare text on each page is very visible against the fantastic illustrations. Tonatiuh continues to create beautiful depictions of his heritage, with each illustration showing exactly what the text addresses, and making certain parts of the Mexihcah book process much clearer. The simple details of his drawings are amazing; at the end of the book, readers will understand just how authentically the illustrations hew to actual pictures of the handful of remaining codices. An author's note at the end also serves as a history, going into the dark time of colonization and how his culture, and the books of his people, have been harshly impacted. VERDICT Once again Tonatiuh has gathered history, language, and stories into a cultural gift to readers; an excellent book for students who want to learn how books are made, those who love history (even the difficult parts), and anyone interested in learning about Mexihcah culture.--Margaret Kennelly

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Tonatiuh's respect and reverence for the subject shine through loud and clear as he shares knowledge of Mesoamerican books almost lost to the past. . .Utterly indispensable."— "Kirkus Reviews"
Duncan Tonatiuh
Duncan Tonatiuh (toh-nah-tee-YOU) is an award-winning author-illustrator. He is both Mexican and American. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and graduated from Parsons School of Design and Eugene Lang College in New York City. His artwork is inspired by pre-Columbian art. His aim is to create images and stories that honor the past but are relevant to today's people, especially children. His books include A Land of Books, Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns, and Separate Is Never Equal. He currently lives in San Miguel with his family but travels in the United States often.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781419749421
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date
November 15, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV047000 - Juvenile Fiction | Books & Libraries
JUV016020 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | Ancient Civilizations
JUV030100 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Mexico
Library of Congress categories
History
Picture books
Mexico
Books and reading
Manuscripts
Indians of Mexico
Mixtec Indians
To 1519

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