Jade and Iron: Latin American Tales from Two Cultures

by Patricia Aldana (Editor), Luis Garay (Illustrator), Hugh Hazelton (Translator)

This anthology of stories introduces us to the richness of the experience and culture of Latin Americans -- the people of jade and iron. Children will find a sampling of Latin American tale-telling, including exciting legends of warriors, princesses, volcanoes and magicians. Illustrations are by Luis Garay, whose work reviewers have said is akin in its tone and scope to the work of Diego Rivera (Publisher's Weekly, starred review).

Genres: Picture Books

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 1996

Reviews

[Stacy Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Child abandonment, seduction, infidelity, human sacrifice -- these are not tales for the younger set! The first half of this book is dedicated to the myths and stories of the indigenous peoples of Latin America, and their violence reflects the harshness of the living conditions of the time. This half of the book is the "jade," named for the value of that stone to the native tribes. In the second half -- the "iron" brought by Europeans, the stories reflect the morality of the church. Characters are face with choices between doing the right or wrong thing -- good is usually rewarded and wrongdoings punished.

Middle school readers could add Jade and Iron to their studies of Latin American culture or world myths/creation tales.