cover image Como Vinimos Al Quinto Mundo: Un Cuento de Creacion de Mexico Antigua = How We Came to the Fifth World

Como Vinimos Al Quinto Mundo: Un Cuento de Creacion de Mexico Antigua = How We Came to the Fifth World

Harriet Rohmer, Mary Anchondo. Children's Book Press (CA), $14.95 (20pp) ISBN 978-0-89239-024-3

Like previous titles in the Tales of the Americas series, these picture books present traditional stories in side-by-side English/Spanish tellings. How We Came to the Fifth World is an Aztec legend that recounts the histories of four worlds, or ages, before the present. Each was destroyed by the gods because of mankind's greed and selfishness. A postscript to the tale cites the Aztec belief that evil must be banished if the present age is to survive. Atariba & Niguayona, a tale from Puerto Rico's Taino Indians, tells of a boy's courageous quest for a rare fruit that can save the life of his friend. He succeeds, and the two friends become leaders of their people. With clear, compelling narratives, intriguing lore and vibrant graphics that capture the distinctive styles of each culture, these are superb additions to our body of Native American literature. Ages 6-14. (June)