A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.
But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.
And the people planted dreams and hope,
willed themselves to keep
living, living. And the people learned new words
for love
for friend
for family for joy
for grow
for home. With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.
Discover the Magic of Aztec Culture Through Words, Art, and Poetry!
From Chocolatl and Axolotl to Guacamole and Quetzalcoatl--open up this spectacular treasury of Aztec words from A to Z!
Award-winning artist Emmanuel Valtierra brings young readers an enchanting bilingual journey through twenty-six words, concepts, and gods central to Aztec and Mexican culture. Each page features a letter of the alphabet paired with captivating poetry in both English and Spanish, kaleidoscopic illustrations inspired by ancient Aztec codices, and pronunciation guides to help families explore these beautiful words together.
What Makes This Book Special:
Whether you are looking to teach children about diverse cultures, or support their bilingual education, or simply looking for a gorgeous book to treasure, A-Ztec offers an immersive experience that will inspire young readers to explore language, history, and art.
Every detail--from the background colors to the placement of poems--has been thoughtfully crafted to celebrate Mexican and Aztec heritage.
Perfect for ages 4-8: Ideal for homeschooling, classroom libraries, and family reading time
P R A I S E
★ "From the color of the backgrounds to the styles of the text used for each word and to the way each poem is placed on the pages, this book radiates with a lyrical representation of culture. A must-have for children's book collections." --School Library Journal (starred)
"Merrily edifying. Explore the ABCs from axolotl to zapata. Employing an Aztec codex style, the artist injects an anarchic spirit into his colorful artwork."--Kirkus











