Duncan Tonatiuh's Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns is a captivating introduction to an epic Mesoamerican myth of creation.
"It is said by the elders that before our time there were four other tonatiuhs or suns." So begins the story of the world. During each tonatiuh, the gods attempted to create human beings and, though they failed, each try gave way to a part of the earth. The first time the gods covered sacred bones with mud, they were too big and clumsy and "these humans turned into mountains." During the second tonatiuh, the gods accidentally created fish. The third attempt was successful--however, those humans angered the gods and were turned into monkeys. The fourth endeavor led to birds. At this point, the gods became tired and sent the sacred bones to Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld, for safekeeping. But one among them would not give up: Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent, the god of knowledge. A pillar of courage and cleverness, Quetzalcóatl would stop at nothing to make humans.
Tonatiuh's (The Princess and the Warrior) hand-drawn and digital collage illustrations evoke pre-Columbian art, and his modern touches and warm color palette make for vibrant, expressive spreads. Wondrous landscapes magnify Quetzalcóatl's formidable and heroic quest. An author's note and a glossary with pronunciations help deepen readers' historical understanding of the myth. With prose that is accessible and has the abiding quality of myth, Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns feels both classic and refreshing. --Zoraida Córdova, author and freelance book reviewer