The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

"Once upon a time, there lived a kind and beautiful princess named Izta. Even though she was the daughter of an emperor, she loved to spend time with the people who grew corn in the milpas." So begins Mexican author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh's (Rancho Rabbit and the Coyote; Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras) retelling of one of his country's most cherished legends about two young people in love. Sadly, Izta and her beloved warrior Popoca were betrayed and fated to spend the rest of eternity as two side-by-side volcanoes: Iztaccíhuatl, who still sleeps, and Popocatépetl, "who spews ashes and smoke from time to time, as if attempting to wake his sleeping princess." (These real volcanoes are located about 40 miles southeast of Mexico City.) Tonatiuh's warmly hued, textured illustrations are inspired by the 11th-century Mixtec warrior codices, "where people and animals are always drawn in profile." A touching story of two true hearts. --Karin Snelson, children's & YA editor, Shelf Awareness

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