Viva Zapata

by Emilie Smith & Margarita Kenefic Tejada, illustrated by Stefan Czernecki

tagged: mexico

Description

This humorous story is about a fictional incident in the childhood of the Mexican revolutionary hero, Emiliano Zapata. After Emiliano's pony is stolen, he manages to track down the bandits and recover his horse.

About the Authors

Emilie Smith was born in Argentina and now divides her time between Vancouver, B.C and Guatemala. She wrote this story with her friend, Margarita Kenefic Tejada who lives in Guatemala. They met many years ago when they were both living in a Mexican village about a day’s horseback ride from Emiliano’s home.

Margarita Kenefic Tejada is a playwright living in Guatemala.

Stefan Czernecki has illustrated many picture books and has won the American Folklore Society’s Aesop Award. He lives in Vancouver, BC.

Age:: 3 to 5
Grade:: p to k
Reading age:: 3 to 5

Awards

Commended, Resource Links "The Year's Best"

Editorial Reviews

"A wonderful children's book about a childhood episode in the life of Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata…Beautiful, dramatic black and white illustrations wrap the story in a fabulous aura. It is a hard world where a life can be decided on whether or not you can make a rough bandido laugh. Emiliano is more than up to the task."

— Midwest Book Review

“A charming, humorous tale with striking black and white illustrations.”

— Globe & Mail

“Provokes laughter, deep thought and sighs of contentment.”

— CM Magazine

"With a light touch of foreshadowing and simple black and white illustrations, the authors have created a fun way to introduce young readers to a historical figure who made a difference in the lives of millions."

— Canadian Bookseller Magazine

"Recommend this book for both school libraries and public libraries...The book would be an idea candidate for a display highlighting picture books as art."

— Resource Links

"Illustrator Stefan Czernicki succeeds in illustrating the setting and characters in such a way as to impact Zapata's cause...Audiences will appreciate the full-page drawings and large boldface text opposite each illustration."

— Library Media Connection

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Annotations

Librarian review

by [ABPBC]

Emilio Zapata was a Mexican revolutionary who believed in justice and freedom. This is a fictional story about Zapata’s childhood. Young Emilio lives with his family on a modest ranch. He is troubled by the poverty he sees in the town. One day, bandidos steal his family’s horses. Emilio sets out to retrieve his beloved pony. When he discovers the bandits, they challenge him: if he can make them laugh, he can have his horses back. Emilio tries many tricks, to no avail. Finally, he asks the bandits why they are so mean. They answer that they grew up hungry. Emilio declares that when he grows up, he will help make it so that no one goes hungry. The bandidos laugh until their sides split. Emilio leaves with the horses. This simple story written in large type with cartoon-like drawings would be an excellent addition to a unit about “heroes”.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2010-2011.