Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth
By (Author) Duncan Tonatiuh
Abrams
Abrams Books for Young Readers
1st September 2020
United States
Children
Fiction
809.93382997
Hardback
40
Width 237mm, Height 287mm, Spine 18mm
500g
In the spirit of Tonatiuhs celebrated book The Princess and the Warrior, this preColumbian creation myth tells the story of Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica, and his quest to create humankind. The gods tried to make humans during each sun, or age, but each time they failed. When they grew tired, only one did not give up: the Feathered Serpent. Determined, the Feathered Serpent embarks on a dangerous journey full of fearsome foes and harsh elements, facing each trial with wisdom, bravery, and resourcefulness before confronting his final challenge at Mictlan, the underworld. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a dazzling creation tale of epic proportions. Includes an authors note, glossary, and bibliography.
**STARRED REVIEW**
"While the tale itself will appeal to lovers of adventure and myth, the authors note adds an important historical and cultural depth that should not be bypassed. Feathered Serpent has all the literary elements of a good story and can be used to teach genre, narrative, history, or just quality literature."
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Tonatiuhs familiar flat-perspective digitally collaged illustrations are particularly strong on the designerly element here, ranging from the playful. . .to the rhythmic elegance of the silhouetted fish and birds."
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Tonatiuhs illustration style draws on Nahua visual writing systems, emulating the symmetry, balanced lines, and prominent profile and aerial viewpoints found in Indigenous codices. . .reward[s] careful examination as textures pop and engage the viewer."
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Tonatiuhs artworkfamiliar in form, electric in spiritastonishes in this retelling of a Mesoamerican creation story. Told with succinct clarity and a hint of mischief, this rendition begs for rereads... Simply spellbinding."
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Hand-drawn, digitally collaged art, incorporating Mesoamerican styles and motifs, deepens the power of Tonatiuhs tale, a tantalizing slice of Mesoamericas rich stories."
Duncan Tonatiuh was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende. His books, including Diego Rivera, Dear Primo, and Separate Is Never Equal, have received many awards over the years. He currently lives in San Miguel with his wife and children but travels to the US often.