Vida, Duncan Tonatiuh
Vida, Duncan Tonatiuh
List: $9.99 | Sale: $7.00
Club: $4.99

Vida
The Mice, the Cat, and the Alebrije

Author: Duncan Tonatiuh

Narrator: M.L. Sanchez

Unabridged: 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/11/2025


Synopsis

From Sibert Award and Pura Belpré Medal–winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh comes a highly original fable inspired by Mexican folk art.The city of Mousetepec is a lively place filled with color, music, and alegría (joy). But everything changes one night when the shadow of un gato appears, growing larger and larger until it looms over the whole city. Fiestas are cancelled and the mercado empties as the cat terrorizes the townsfolk.
To save their town, two little mouse siblings—Vida and her brother, Máximo—make a brave plan to scare away the cat after a bright, fantastical creature called an alebrije appears to them in a dream.
Duncan Tonatiuh presents this imaginative fable that will encourage young readers to confront any “shadows” they may face in their lives with a spirit of courage and alegría.
Also available: Vida: Los ratones, el gato y el alebrije (Spanish Edition)

About Duncan Tonatiuh

Duncan Tonatiuh is an award-winning Mexican-American author and illustrator. His books include the Pura Belpre Honor Award winners Dear Primo, Diego Rivera, and Pancho Rabbit and the Sibert Honor Award winners Separate Is Never Equal and Funny Bones. Born in Mexico, he graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City. He is inspired by Pre-Columbian art, and his aim is to create images and stories that honor the past in a way that is relevant today.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mary on February 21, 2026

Perfect for all ages! I enjoyed this new take on an Aesop fable with the colorful addition of a large alebrije. We purchased five colorful carved alebrijes in Oaxaca, Mexico and admire how each one is unique—with a magical story waiting to be told!......more

Goodreads review by Carrie on February 26, 2026

I am a huge fan of Tonatiuh's illustrations, and this book DELIVERS. This fable about the power of community and collective hope and art is awash with bright, bold, folk-art-inspired illustrations interspersed with a darkness that is just-menacing-enough to draw children in without overwhelming. Fan......more

Goodreads review by Penny on March 16, 2026

Lovely illustrations. Alibrijes are one of my favorite creations to collect, and I have a goddaughter named Vida! She's sure to love this book.......more