The First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story (Dual Eng/Sph) by Rudolfo A. Anaya
	List Price:   $16.95 Unit Price:   $13.56 You Save:   $3.39 (20%) ISBN-10:   0826342140 ISBN-13:   9780826342140 Publisher:   University of New Mexico Press Category:   Spanish Books, Dual Language Pub. Date:   May 2007 Pages:   32 Format:   Trade Cloth Ages:   9 to 12
Awards
1999  Land of Enchantment Book Award  Nominee/Honoree  2006  Jane Addams Children's Book Award  Winner!
Subjects
CHILDREN'S FICTION
Description/Notes
Guided by a blue hummingbird, Jade brings an offering to the Mountain Spirit who lives near her village in Mexico, and asks if he will send rain to end the drought that threatens the people. Includes information about the legend on which this story is based and facts about corn. The First Tortilla is a moving, bilingual story of courage and discovery. A small Mexican village is near starvation. There is no rain, and the bean and squash plants are dying. Jade, a young village girl, is told by a blue hummingbird to take a gift to the Mountain Spirit. Then it will send the needed rain. Burning lava threatens her, but Jade reaches the top of the volcano. The Mountain Spirit is pleased. It allows the ants in a nearby cave to share their corn with Jade. The corn was sweet and delicious and Jade took some back to save the village. Jade grinds the dry corn, adds water, and makes dough. She pats the masa and places it on hot stones near the fire. She has made the first tortilla. Soon the making of corn tortillas spreads throughout Mexico and beyond. Reading level: grade 3 and up The story of a young Mexican girl who saves her village by making the first tortilla with the help of the Mountain Spirit. Rudolfo Anaya is professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico. This moving, bilingual story of courage and discovery tells a legendary tale of the first tortilla, made by a small girl who saves her Mexican village from drought and starvation. Full color.