Cover art (c) Duncan Tonatiuh, Cover Designer Heather Kelly
Latinx in Publishing is pleased to exclusively reveal the cover for CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: LUZ JIMÉNEZ, DAUGHTER OF THE NAHUA written by Gloria Amescua, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh publishing August 17th from Abrams Books for Young Readers. Read on for the official book synopsis and to view the gorgeous cover!
From debut author Gloria Amescua and award-winning illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, a lyrical biography of an indigenous Nahua woman from Mexico who taught and preserved her people's culture through modeling for famous artists.
She was Luz Jiménez,
child of the flower-song people,
the powerful Aztec,
who called themselves Nahua—
who lost their land but who did not disappear.
As a young Nahua girl in Mexico during the early 1900s, Luz learned how to grind corn in a metate, to twist yarn with her toes, and to weave on a loom. By the fire at night, she listened to stories of her community’s joys, suffering, and survival, and wove them into her heart.
But when the Mexican Revolution came to her village, Luz and her family were forced to flee and start a new life. In Mexico City, Luz became a model for painters, sculptors, and photographers such as Diego Rivera, Jean Charlot, and Tina Modotti. These artists were interested in showing the true face of Mexico and not a European version. Through her work, Luz found a way to preserve her people's culture by sharing her native language, stories, and traditions. Soon, scholars came to learn from her.
This moving, beautifully illustrated biography tells the remarkable story of how model and teacher Luz Jiménez became “the soul of Mexico”—a living link between the indigenous Nahua and the rest of the world. Through her deep pride in her roots and her unshakeable spirit, the world came to recognize the beauty and strength of her people.
The book includes an author’s note, timeline, glossary, and bibliography.
(c) Sam Bond Photography
Gloria Amescua is an educator, poet, and children’s book writer. She was awarded Lee & Low’s New Voices Honor Award and was named a finalist for the Austin SCBWI Cynthia Leitich Smith Mentorship program. Native and current Austinite, Gloria received both her B.A. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. This is her first picture book.
(c) Eugenia Tinajero
Duncan Tonatiuh is an award-winning author-illustrator whose numerous accolades include the Sibert Medal, the Pura Belpré Award, and many Honors. He is both Mexican and American. His artwork is inspired by Pre-Columbian art, particularly that of the Mixtec codices. His aim is to create images and stories that honor the past, but that are relevant to people today, especially children. He grew up in and currently lives in San Miguel de Allende, México with his wife and children, but travels to the US often.
