Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
Illustrator: N/A
Publisher and Year: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2016
Number of pages: 40
Tags: K-1, 2-3, 4-5 Fiction, Diversity, Culture, Family, Amy Sanchez
Analysis: The Princess and the Warrior is about the origin of the volcanoes Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl that overlook Mexico City. This Aztec legend follows the life of Popo and Izta. Izta is a beautiful princess and Popoca is a brave soldier. Izta enjoys spending her days in the fields teaching the workers about poetry. She has many suitors that traveled from distant places who wanted to marry her. They offered her gifts and a luxurious life. She wasn’t interested in their gifts. One day Popoca approached her and declared his love to her. He told her how he knew she had a kind and beautiful heart. He told her if they married he would promise to love her for who she is and stay by her side no matter what. Izta heard the honesty in his voice and fell in love with him.
When she told her father who she wanted to marry a soldier he was not content. However, he knew Popoca was brave and they had been at war with Jaguar Claw. The emperor told Popoca if he could defeat the Jaguar Claw he would be able to marry Izta. Popoca gathered his most courageous men and went to war. The war was not easy and it was taking longer than expected. Jaguar Claw bribed one of Popoca’s soldier and asked him t go back to the princess and tell her Popoca had been killed and to take this potion. The soldier did and the princess took the potion. She slept forever. When Popoca got back he found her and stood by her side as he had promised. That is the origin of the volcanoes Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl that overlook Mexico City. To this day volcano Popocatepetl is active while volcano Iztaccihuatl is dormant.
This book can serve as window to understand legends and history from other cultures. This book tells the story of the origin of two of Mexico’s volcanoes. This story also depicts some of the history by having emperors and princesses. This book can also serve as a mirror for multicultural children who grow up listening to some of these legends. This book can also be a door to teach children about different legends in different cultures. Students can compare and contrast different cultures and the legends they tell.
The ideology this book explores is Mexican legends. There is a clear story to explain the origin of the volcanoes Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl that overlook Mexico City.
The illustrations used in this book are very neat. Many of illustrations are influenced by pre-Columbian art. They illustrate the culture by depicting the characters with traditional clothing from the time. The illustrations are very detailed and well executed. The images are adding to the words to convey the message being conveyed.