Pilgrim Codex - by Vivian Mansour (Hardcover)

About the Book

"For fans of Duncan Tonatiuh and Yuyi Morales' Dreamers, a one-of- a-kind picture book about one immigrant family's journey north, illustrated in the vein of an ancient codex and drawing upon Mesoamerican mythology."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

For fans of Duncan Tonatiuh and Yuyi Morales' Dreamers, a one-of-a-kind picture book about one immigrant family's journey north, illustrated in the vein of an ancient codex and drawing upon Mesoamerican mythology.

We, the Vargas Ramírez family, come from a faraway place north of Tenochtitlan called Iztapalapa, Land of Clay Upon Water. A land surrounded by cars and dry grass; a place where the pieces of our small world were scattered. For some time we lived there, but then one day my father heard a beautiful birdsong that rose up and appeared to say tihui, tihui, tihui: let's go, let's go, let's go. And so we gathered up our friends who made up that small world and decided to head north, for the other side, and a better life.

Together the Boy and his family will journey from the Land of the Frogs to The Place Where Feet Cry to the River Where the Waters Tangle, fleeing Gunmen and braving Coyotes and plunging darknesses as black as an obsidian forest. Originally published in Mexico, Pilgrim Codex (Códice peregrino) captures through the eyes of a child one family's part in the ever-changing and fleeting story of the brave migrant warriors who search for a better place to live.

Review Quotes

"Mansour's lofty style, anchored by modern language, conveys a sense of legend surrounding the family's migration... the persistence and hope of the family, as well as the creative interpretation in both text and illustrations, make for an age appropriate introduction to this type of migration experience."

[STAR] "Mansour's evocative, image-rich language is expertly translated in the English edition, and echoes the cadence of a timeless folk story. The illustrations, created in the style of Mesoamerican codices, are colorful and ripe with symbolism and iconography. Readers of varying ages will find countless opportunities for engagement with these thematically multilayered and stunning works. Highly recommended for picture book collections."

[STAR] "Mansour's vivid portrait of a migrant family's travails blends motifs and imagery from Mesoamerican mythology, with dazzling, affecting results... Valtierra's artwork boasts bold lines, strong color use, and salient iconography, beautifully complementing the text's mythical tone. Grounded in compassion, this is a richly layered tale that will linger with readers. A gripping, thought-provoking migration saga.

[STAR] "Together, word and image work richly together to describe a suspenseful journey of 'many things, terrible and magnificent.'"

[STAR] "Unique in its cadence, representation, and execution, this book deserves careful attention and contemplation."

About the Author

Vivian Mansour is a Mexican writer. She studied communication sciences and has collaborated on different media such as radio, television, and magazines. She has also worked in the creative area for several advertising agencies. She is the author of many short stories for children. Among the recognitions she has received are the FILIJ Short Stories for Children Award and the A la Orilla del Viento Award.

Author residence: Mexico City

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

Carlos Rodríguez Cortez was born in Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. At six-months old, Carlos arrived in the United States, and with time, he and his family settled in Los Angeles, the city Carlos now considers home. Carlos graduated from Yale University with two bachelor's degrees in political science and Spanish language. Since leaving school, Carlos has worked in education, both as a teacher and strategist. In his free time, you can find Carlos tending to his pepper plants, adding to his vinyl collection, writing in his journal, or riding the Los Angeles Metro.

Translator residence: Los Angeles, CA