Parents' Guide to

A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters

By Monica Encarnacion, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Storytelling, art preserved in beautiful Aztec tale.

Book Duncan Tonatiuh Picture Book 2022
A Land of Books book cover: Aztec-style characters color artwork in front of a pyramid

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What's the Story?

A LAND OF BOOKS: DREAMS OF YOUNG MEXIHCAH WORD PAINTERS depicts the daily lives of a brown-skinned Aztec family, as told by a young Aztec girl who explains to her brother how their parents create "amoxtin" or books, painted manuscripts that today we call codices. She describes making paper from plants and folding it into a book. The codices depict their people's history, science, tributes, and rituals. As night falls, the girl enters a dreamscape filled with Aztec symbols and stories, further enriching our understanding of their culture.

Is It Any Good?

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Duncan Tonatiuh's lyrical prose and distinctive pre-Coumbian-inspired illustrations take readers on a captivating journey into the heart of Aztec civilization and reminds us of the importance of preserving Indigenous languages, stories, and traditions. A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters pays tribute to Mesoamerican ingenuity and celebrates the universal power of books. This picture book is not only informative but also visually stunning. Tonatiuh's illustrations are inspired by traditional Aztec codices, bringing the story to life with rich colors and intricate details. The narrative is simple yet captivating and easy to follow, sparking curiosity in young minds. The 2-page glossary at the end of the book will help readers better understand terminology and language used in this book.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different ways "the Mexicah (or Aztecs as we now refer to them)" preserved their stories and traditions in A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters. How do books and art help us learn about the past?

  • How do this book's characters show curiosity, teamwork, and perseverance? How do the "tlahcuilohqueh, painter of words" work together to tell their stories?

  • Explore the materials used to create the codices. Can you think of other ways people have made books throughout history?

Book Details

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