Description
Book SynopsisAward-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 BookOur 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
Trade Review**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 *
**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. . . 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." * Publishers Weekly *
**STARRED REVIEW** "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." * School Library Journal *
**STARRED REVIEW** "A loving and layered examination of culture, values, and the stories that shape them." * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *
**STARRED REVIEW** "An author’s note provides historical context, centering the importance of preserving Indigenous art . . . storytelling, and knowledge." * The Horn Book *
Acclaimed author and illustrator Tonatiuh’s signature pre-Columbian illustrations are striking and alive with color, pattern and texture. A detailed author’s note, glossary (with pronunciation guide), and bibliography round out this robust resource. * Booklist *
