The Poet King of Tezcoco: A Great Leader of Ancient Mexico

by Francisco Serrano, Pablo Serrano (Illustrations)

One of ancient Mexico’s most remarkable rulers, Nezahualcóyotl was a brilliant poet, architect, and engineer. After reclaiming the throne stolen by his murderous uncle, the Poet King became a great ruler who built palaces, libraries, aqueducts, and gardens. Though he endured many tragedies, his poetry brought him comfort and secured his reputation as a literary master. Nezahualcóyotl’s amazing life and achievements are related here in a unique combination of biography and poetry. Though written at a child’s level, this beautifully crafted and lushly illustrated story thrills and informs readers of all ages.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Biography, Poetry

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2007

About the author

Nació en la Ciudad de México el 27 de junio de 1949. Poeta. Cursó estudios de Ciencias Políticas, Filosofía y Cine en la unam; y de Literatura Francesa en la Universidad de la Sorbona en París. Becario del cme, 1973-1974. Durante varios años trabajó en la administración pública cultural de México. Ha sido coordinador de publicaciones de la dgp de la sep, 1981-1982; director de Relaciones Internacionales 1983-1985 y director de la revista México en el Arte del inba coordinador de asesores de la Subsecretaría de Cooperación Internacional de la sre, 1991-1992 y del inah, 1992-1993. Colaborador de Casa del Tiempo, Diálogos, El Nacional, El Semanario Cultural, Guchachi’ Reza, La Jornada Semanal, La Letra y la Imagen, México en el Arte, Nexos, Pauta, Plural, Revista de Bellas Artes, Revista Universidad de México, Sábado, y Vuelta. Sus obras en colaboración con compositores incluyen: La rosa de Ariadna, libreto de ópera sobre el poema homónimo, con Gualtero Dazzi, 1995; Orpheus in Underland, libreto para comedia musical en cinco lenguas paródicas, con Aldo Brizzi, 1997; En susurros los muertos, libreto para una tragedia musical, con Gualtiero Dazz, 1998.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have been happy to see a lot more poems in here, but this was a solid book about a time period that often gets glossed over.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book by accident while searching for a book on Mexican craft projects. This is a book for upper elementary and young adults and is about an Aztec ruler named Nezahualcoyotl, who lived during the 15th century in the area that is now Mexico City and was famous for his poetry. Examples of the poetry are scattered through this book, along with the king's biography. I absolutely love the illustrations in this book! They make the book come alive. It's so fascinating to read about this culture that was so advanced in its technology, law, and architecture. The back of the book features a chronology, Glossary,and books to look at for further reading on the subject matter.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures in this book are beautiful and can really give students a sense of what happened. There is a lot of words on each page, but the teacher could focus on the short poem and discuss the pictures with the students. I like the end pages that out give a concise time line.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story about Ancient Mexico of which I knew very little--if anything.

[Dora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for the middle grades and up.