The Princess and the Warrior

Starred review from August 15, 2016
Tonatiuh (Funny Bones) retells a Mesoamerican legend about a pair of volcanoes that can be seen from Mexico City. Iztaccíhuatl looks like a sleeping woman, while Popocatépetl is said to be the form of a warrior who guards her. In Tonatiuh’s story, Popoca is a suitor who sees past the princess Izta’s mesmerizing beauty: “If you marry me, I promise that I will love you for who you are,” he vows. “I will stay by your side no matter what.” Izta’s father promises her to Popoca if the warrior can defeat Jaguar Claw, the kingdom’s sworn enemy. But a messenger from Jaguar Claw lies to Izta, telling her that Popoca has been defeated and offering her a potion to console her. She never wakes up. Popoca keeps his promise never to leave her, and the two are shown frozen under a mantle of snow. Tonatiuh’s squat, stylized characters are modeled on those in ancient Mixtec codices, and their jewelry, weapons, and architecture all bear inspection and discussion. Sensitive readers may be dismayed by the grim ending, but it’s a skillfully crafted recounting of a somber tale of love and devotion. Ages 6–9.

Starred review from July 15, 2016
A Mexican legend explains the origins of two volcanoes.Many suitors come from far and wide to gain the hand of the kind and beautiful Princess Izta, daughter of the emperor. Though these men present her precious gifts in exchange for marriage, Izta refuses them all. Instead, she falls for Popoca, a courageous warrior. He can offer her nothing except love and devotion, and that's enough for Izta. Fate, however, conspires against the young lovers. By the emperor's command, Popoca is soon off to war against the dreaded Jaguar Claw. If victorious, Popoca can marry Izta. Little do both know that Jaguar Claw schemes to upset their union. The legend here turns tragic, and it's a testament to Tonatiuh's ability as a storyteller and artist that it never once overwhelms. Using his trademark digital collage style, the author crafts brutally stunning scenes full of sharp angles using a palette of earthy, evocative colors. The text pops with incisive purpose, making every action feel monumental. Yet it's Tonatiuh's attention to detail that makes this retelling so splendid. Characters radiate pure emotion with each gesture and body movement; unusual perspectives serve to emphasize these emotions further. As Izta and Popoca's love is tested, despair gives way to unshakeable faith. Equal parts melancholic and transcendent--a genuine triumph. (author's note, glossary, bibliography) (Picture book/folklore. 6-9)

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Starred review from September 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Princess Izta is the most beautiful and eligible maiden in the land. One day, a humble warrior named Popoca approaches the princess, offering her the promise of true love and fidelity instead of lavish gifts or material wealth. Izta falls in love with him, even though her father, the emperor, feels Popoca is unsuitable for his royal daughter. He agrees to allow Popoca and Izta to marry, under one condition: Popoca must defeat Jaguar Claw, the infamous ruler of a neighboring land. Popoca fights many battles and defeats Jaguar Claw. But with the help of a bribed messenger, a bitter Jaguar Claw manages to take one last stab at Popoca by tricking Izta into poisoning herself into a deep sleep. Just as he promised, Popoca stays by her side, lying next to her until, as legend has it, two volcanoes are formed: Popocatepetl, meaning smoky mountain, and Iztaccihuatl (sleeping woman). Award-winning author/illustrator Tonatiuh successfully retells this ancient tale using his distinctive and artistic illustrations with spare but effective text. The action battle scenes will excite and captivate, while the images of Popoca kneeling beside Izta in determined wait will stir the hearts of readers. The integration of Nahuatl words (defined with a pronunciation guide in the glossary) into the narrative provides a rich opportunity to introduce and explore another facet of Aztec culture. VERDICT Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony; a first purchase for all folklore collections.-Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2016
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* Sibert-winning Tonatiuh (Funny Bones, 2015) brings to his books a richness in text and illustration, and this retelling of a Mexican legend is no exception. Two great volcanoes, Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl, stand outside of today's Mexico City and have been the inspiration for many folktales and origin stories. Using stylized images (based on several ancient Mixtec codices), Tonatiuh reminds us of the highly developed cultures that came up with these stories. This particular myth centers on a great love, a great warrior, and a great deceit. A beautiful princess falls in love with a soldier, Popoca, to her father's dismay. The emperor tells Popoca that if he defeats the village's greatest enemy, he can marry the princess. Popoca is on the brink of success, when treachery and miscommunication leads to tragedy. A glossary of the many Nahuatl words used in the text (some of which have become part of spoken Spanish today) is included, and the illustrations are compelling and dramatic in the contrast of lights and darks. Tonatiuh's characteristic round heads and figures in profile add a classic element (be sure to look under the book jacket for two powerful images). The appealing story, compelling illustrations, and celebration of the Aztec culture make this a sure thing for those looking for a story, while an extensive author's note goes a step beyond, adding to the impact of the tale with a great deal of historical and cultural information.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2017
Returning from battle to find his love, Princess Izta, in a deep sleep, warrior Popoca takes Izta to a mountain top. Soon, "where once there was a princess with her true love by her side, two volcanoes emerged." Tonatiuh's mixed-media art, an homage to the Mixtec codices, is instantly recognizable; with its assured storytelling, this adapted pourquoi story may be his best yet. Bib., glos.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 1, 2016
After a string of award-winning picture-book biographies (Separate Is Never Equal, rev. 7/14; Funny Bones, rev. 11/15), Tonatiuh turns to folklore for this adapted pourquoi story that explains the origins of two volcanoes in Mexico: Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl. Izta is a kind and beautiful princess; suitors traveled from distant lands to woo her. But despite promises of a life of luxury from several royal admirers, it's the honest young warrior Popoca who captures her heart. Izta's father, the emperor, sends Popoca off to fight and defeat rival ruler Jaguar Claw, at which point Popoca will earn Izta's hand in marriage. But a tragic turn of events leads Izta to drink a powerful sleeping potion. Upon returning from battle and finding his love in a deep sleep from which she will not wake, Popoca takes her to the top of a mountain, hoping to revive her, but to no avail. Soon, where once there was a princess with her true love by her side, two volcanoes emerged. The style of Tonatiuh's mixed-media art, an homage to the Mixtec codices, is instantly recognizable. The textured backgrounds are boldly colored, and the compositions convey a feeling of great motion throughout, but especially in battle scenes. Tonatiuh's storytelling grows more assured with each title; this may be his best yet. Included in the excellent back matter are an author's note, a glossary of the Nahuatl terms found sprinkled throughout the text, and a bibliography. sam bloom

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

December 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Courted by many gift-bearing suitors, the beautiful poet princess Izta chooses the poor but honest warrior Popoca. His only gift to her is the promise to love her forever. Izta's father agrees to the match under one condition, that Popoca challenge a rival ruler. Battles, bravery, and betrayal follow in this intimate Aztec origin tale of two volcanoes in present-day Mexico. The bold colors and dynamic fight scenes, inspired by motifs from the Mixtec codices, complement this accessible epic story of loyalty.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.