A-Ztec - by Emmanuel Valtierra (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Discover the Magic of Aztec Culture Through Words, Art, and Poetry! From Chocolatl and Axolotl to Guacamole and Quetzalcoatl--open up this spectacular treasury of Aztec words from A to Z!"--

Book Synopsis

Discover the Magic of Aztec Culture Through Words, Art, and Poetry!

From Chocolatl and Axolotl to Guacamole and Quetzalcoatl--open up this spectacular treasury of Aztec words from A to Z!

Award-winning artist Emmanuel Valtierra brings young readers an enchanting bilingual journey through twenty-six words, concepts, and gods central to Aztec and Mexican culture. Each page features a letter of the alphabet paired with captivating poetry in both English and Spanish, kaleidoscopic illustrations inspired by ancient Aztec codices, and pronunciation guides to help families explore these beautiful words together.

What Makes This Book Special:

• Bilingual Learning: Every entry includes poetry in both English and Spanish, making it perfect for bilingual families and language learners (Ages 4-8)
• Rich Cultural Content: Explore gods like Quetzalcoatl, animals like the axolotl, delicious foods, important historical figures like Zapata, and vibrant traditions
• Museum-Quality Artwork: Stunning illustrations echo ancient codex styles while radiating with contemporary energy and color
• Educational Extras: Includes a comprehensive pronunciation and etymology guide, information on Aztec glyphs, and a QR code linking to additional resources
• Lyrical & Engaging: Upbeat poetry verses range from reverential to playfully humorous, maintaining perfect rhythm throughout

Whether you are looking to teach children about diverse cultures, or support their bilingual education, or simply looking for a gorgeous book to treasure, A-Ztec offers an immersive experience that will inspire young readers to explore language, history, and art.

Every detail--from the background colors to the placement of poems--has been thoughtfully crafted to celebrate Mexican and Aztec heritage.

Perfect for ages 4-8: Ideal for homeschooling, classroom libraries, and family reading time

P R A I S E

★ "From the color of the backgrounds to the styles of the text used for each word and to the way each poem is placed on the pages, this book radiates with a lyrical representation of culture. A must-have for children's book collections." --School Library Journal (starred)

"Merrily edifying. Explore the ABCs from axolotl to zapata. Employing an Aztec codex style, the artist injects an anarchic spirit into his colorful artwork."--Kirkus

Review Quotes

★ "From the color of the backgrounds to the styles of the text used for each word and to the way each poem is placed on the pages, this book radiates with a lyrical representation of culture. A must-have for children's book collections."- School Library Journal

"Valtierra maintains a pleasant cadence from verse to verse thanks to an evenhanded approach, ranging from softly deferential...to dizzily humorous... overall, this alphabet chronicle shares its enthusiasm for language rather generously. Employing an Aztec codex style, the artist injects an anarchic spirit into his colorful artwork. Merrily edifying."

About the Author

Emmanuel Valtierra is a Texan Mexican illustrator. He studied graphic design at the Visual Arts Faculty in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Since 2016, he has focused on creating different projects related to the Aztec culture, among which stands out Codex Valtierra that won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History in 2018. Through his work, he intends to instill Mexican pre-Hispanic cultures and to show its ancestral arts to new generations.
Illustrator residence: San Antonio, TX