Códice peregrino

It’s beyond my words to describe how unique and poignant this book is. Drawing from traditional Mayan and Aztec uses of the Codex and combining it with modern imagery, this book is one I would consider a must read. I will be thinking about this picture book for a long time to come, and recommend you......more

A Mexican boy narrates his family’s journey north to the US in the company of friends. He shares his feelings and observations but mostly just accepts what he is told. For example, he says they left because his father heard a bird singing “tihui,” Nahuatl for “let’s go.” His metaphors and manner of......more

Recently, I discovered Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra and Carlos Rodriguez Cortez. From a glossary in the back of the book, I learned why the book’s title includes the word codex: “Codex: Ancestor to the modern book, where pages are either stacked and fastened to......more

The Vargas family embarks on a dangerous journey from their home across a desert. Aided by their own wits and bravery, and Coyotes to get them past the hardest part - the family is desperate to leave their situation and come to a land where they can dream. Told from the perspective of a young boy an......more

A brilliant picture book, but don’t mistake it’s size. This would be a superb book to use in high school classes: art, history, current affairs, folklore. Highly recommended for older kids, not for little kids, as it is very complex. * This book just won the Mildred Bachelder Award in 2026 given for......more