Tajín and the Twelve ­Thunders: A Pre-Columbian Myth

Gr 1-4–Tajín, a small boy who causes big trouble, joins the Twelve Thunders in the sky and continues to make mischief. Tajín is a boisterous boy who plays so roughly that even the monkeys, jaguars, and crows don’t want to play with him. The mighty serpent ­Quetzalcoatl advises him to seek a place with the powerful Twelve Thunders, old men who live in the sky and control the rain and thunder. Hesitant at first, the men finally allow Tajín to join them, as long as he does his chores and behaves himself. At first, Tajín is the picture of helpfulness, but when he finds himself alone one day, he can’t resist the thought of borrowing a cape, boots, and sword, and causes a destructive storm. The Twelve Thunders eventually capture him by spinning a rainbow around Tajín and sending him to live in the sea. Brilliantly colored and boldly outlined illustrations in the style of the indigenous El Tajín culture near Veracruz, Mexico, where Morales (What Can You Do with a Paleta?) grew up, are the perfect backdrop for this ­delightful story. With curriculum tie-ins to folklore, weather, Latin American studies, and Hispanic Heritage month, this thrilling and beautifully illustrated story is a must-read with wide appeal for ­primary and upper grades. Includes an author’s note, a ­select ­bibliography, and photographs. ­