Cover Spotlight: Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua

PB Debut Troupe 21 is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the cover of CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: LUZ JIMÉNEZ, DAUGHTER OF THE NAHUA (Abrams), which publishes August 17, 2021.

This compelling, colorful cover honors the life and memory of a brave indigenous Nahua woman from Mexico. Join us in congratulating Troupe member and author Gloria Amescua on the inspired look of her debut picture book, CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: LUZ JIMÉNEZ, DAUGHTER OF THE NAHUA, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh.

Check it out!

Gloria revealed the cover of CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: LUZ JIMÉNEZ, DAUGHTER OF THE NAHUA with Latinx in Publishing. (Click here to see the reveal and read the full book synopsis!) Now, let’s hear more about this fabulous debut from author and Troupe member Gloria Amescua:

Gloria Amescua.jpg — *She was Luz Jiménez, child of the flower-song people, the powerful Aztec, who called themselves Nahua—who lost their land*
*but who did not disappear.*

This picture book is a lyrical biography of an indigenous Nahua woman from Mexico who taught and preserved her people's culture through modeling for famous artists who were interested in showing the true face of Mexico.

Through her work, Luz found a way to preserve her people's culture by sharing her native language, stories, and traditions. Soon, scholars came to learn from her.

Model and teacher Luz Jiménez became “the soul of Mexico.” She was a living link between the indigenous Nahua and the rest of the world. Through her deep pride in her roots and her unshakeable spirit, the world came to recognize the beauty and strength of her people. I connected to Luz Jiménez because she resisted her government’s efforts to erase her culture and language, which has happened to indigenous people and to Spanish-speaking people in the U.S.

Award-winning illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, beautifully illustrated this book in his Mixtec style, which represents indigenous cultures of Mexico perfectly. The cover illustration is based on art for which she modeled. Duncan’s art really brought the text to life! Heather Kelly at Abrams did the beautiful book design.

Want to support Gloria and her debut book? Let us count the ways…