Mexican author María García Esperón invites readers to open their "hearts and minds to the wisdom and beauty of the people on whose land we now live" in this dazzling collection of 56 sacred stories from Indigenous civilizations of the Americas, illustrated by Mexican artist Amanda Mijangos and translated from Spanish by Mexican American author David Bowles (They Call Me Güero).
Gods give birth to worlds, mythical creatures interfere in human lives and heroes rise in this diverse set of tales with roots in the traditions of the Maya, Inuit, Nahua, Taino and other American Indigenous peoples. In the Alutiiq story "White-faced Bear," a hunter transformed into a bear by his rivals becomes an instrument of vengeance against hunters. The Hopi creation story "Spider Grandmother" tells of how Spider Grandmother threw her web into the heavens and "a million stars began to glow." From the Andean tradition, a shepherd's star-crossed love for the daughter of Sun ascends to unexpected immortality in "Shepherd and Maiden."
A short poem announces each story, adding to the sense that Esperón's agile, expressive prose begs to be read aloud. Mijangos gives her digital illustrations a fluid, aquatic quality with an azure, navy and white palette and figures sketched in soft, abundant curves. Though Esperón cautions that characters may not follow readers' cultural norms, the stories contain universal mythic touchstones, including constellation lore, landmark creation and true love. Middle-grade readers and older lovers of traditional lore should find treasure in abundance here. --Jaclyn Fulwood, youth services manager at Main Branch, Dayton Metro Library