An Americas Award Commended Title

Raw, honest and powerful, these moving bilingual poems by noted Salvadoran poet Jorge Argueta explore a young Indigenous boy's connection to Mother Earth and how he is healed from the terrible wounds of racism he has endured. Tetl has learned from his grandmother about the spirituality of his ancestors, about how they viewed the earth as alive with sacred meaning. This helps him move from doubt and fear, created by the taunts of other children, to self-acceptance and a discovery of his love for nature.

Mountains, wind, corn and stones all speak to Tetl, almost seeming to vibrate with life. He feels deep roots in them and, through them, he learns to speak and sing. They reveal his Nahuatl self and he realizes that he is special, beautiful and sacred.These gripping poems have something to teach us all, perhaps especially those who have been either intentionally or casually cruel or racist, as well as those who have been the victims of racism.

About the Author
JORGE ARGUETA, a Pipil Nahua Indian from El Salvador and Poet Laureate of San Mateo County, is a prize-winning author of more than twenty children's books. His book Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds won the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and was named to USBBY's Outstanding International Books List, ALA Notable Children's Books and the Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices. Jorge is the founder of the International Children's Poetry Festival Manyula and the Library of Dreams, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy in El Salvador. Jorge divides his time between San Francisco, California, and El Salvador. A Texas native and daughter of late artist Gloria Osuna Perez, LUCIA ANGELA PEREZ is a visual artist with a degree in fine arts from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has illustrated several children's books including Little Gold Star by Joe Hayes, Every Child by Tish Hinojosa, and Talking with Mother Earth. She currently lives in El Paso, Texas.

Reviews
In a clear child's voice, Argueta's poems...are intense, honest and moving....Perez's vibrant pastel art, on a bright, multicolored palette, perfectly complements Argueta's poems....Don't hesitate to read and show this beautiful book to young children. It is for them, and for all of us. * Multicultural Review *
This deeply moving collection of poems by award-winning poet Argueta is a joyful celebration of his Nahuatl heritage...Like the simple yet vibrant free-verse stanza, the raw illustrations are deeply expressive. * Criticas Magazine *
This literary offering stands out for its beauty and depth of expression...Perez's illustrations are colorful, detailed, and appealing, incorporating many indigenous icons...A unique and lovely collection. * School Library Journal *
This very organic sense of identity is just right for kids beginning to articulate who they are and how they fit into this world. * Toronto Star *


Awards
Runner-up for International Latino Book Awards - Best Children's Picture Book - Bilingual 2007 (United States). Commended for Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry (Honor Book) 2007 (United States) and Americas Award Commended List 2007 (United States) and Bank Street College Children's Library Best Children's Books of the Year 2007 (United States).



Book Information
ISBN 9781779460196
Author Jorge Argueta
Format Paperback
Page Count 36
Imprint Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Publisher Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 227mm * 9mm