Duncan Tonatiuh Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Duncan Tonatiuh
Duncan Tonatiuh receives a 2018 Americas Award from the Library of Congress.
Born	1984 (age 40–41) Mexico City, Mexico
Occupation	Writer illustrator
Language	English Spanish
Nationality	Mexican American
Alma mater	Parsons School of Design (B.F.A.) Eugene Lang College (B.A.)
Genre	Children's literature
Years active	2010–present
Notable works	Separate Is Never Equal (2014)

Duncan Tonatiuh (born in 1984) is a Mexican-American author and artist. He creates amazing children's books that have won many awards. His drawings are inspired by Pre-Columbian art, which is art from ancient cultures in the Americas.

His stories often explore themes important to the Latino community. These include topics like fairness for all people, history, art, and immigration. Duncan Tonatiuh also speaks up for workers' rights. He wants to make sure everyone is treated fairly at their jobs.

Early Life and Inspirations
Duncan Tonatiuh's Career
- Books by Duncan Tonatiuh
Awards and Recognition
See also

Early Life and Inspirations

Duncan Tonatiuh was born in 1984 in Mexico City, Mexico. His father was American, and his mother was Mexican. He grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. As a teenager, he moved to the United States. He finished high school at Buxton School in Massachusetts.

When he was a kid, Duncan loved comics and anime. These inspired him to write and draw his own superhero stories. In high school, he became very interested in painting. He found ideas in the works of famous artists like Vincent van Gogh.

Duncan Tonatiuh's Career

In 2008, Duncan Tonatiuh earned two degrees. He got a B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design in New York City. He also received a B.A. from Eugene Lang College.

While in college, he became fascinated by Mixtec artwork. This includes ancient illustrated books called Mixtec codex. His final project in college was called Journey of a Mixteco. It was so good that it won an award and was published online.

Right after college, he signed a contract with Abrams Books for Young Children. His very first book, Dear Primo, came out in 2010. Today, Duncan splits his time between Mexico and the U.S. He often visits schools, libraries, and bookstores to share his stories. He continues to be an activist for workers' rights.

Books by Duncan Tonatiuh

Duncan Tonatiuh has written and illustrated many wonderful books for young readers. Here are some of them:

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin (2010)

This book is about two cousins named Charlie and Carlitos. One lives in the United States, and the other lives in Mexico. The story shows how their lives are both similar and different. It helps readers see that even if people live in different places, they can still have a lot in common.

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours (2011)

This book tells the life story of Diego Rivera. He was one of the most famous painters in the world. Duncan Tonatiuh wrote this book so young people could easily understand Diego Rivera's journey. It also makes readers think about what Diego Rivera might be like if he were alive today.

Pancho Rabbit and Coyote (2013)

This story is about a young rabbit named Pancho. He is waiting for his Papa to come home from working up north. His Papa went to earn money for their family. Pancho gets impatient and decides to go find his father. He packs his Papa's favorite meal for the journey. Along the way, he meets a coyote who offers to travel with him for food. This book helps show the challenges many families face to find a better life.

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight (2014)

This powerful book tells the true story of Sylvia Mendez. About ten years before the famous Brown v. Board of Education case, Sylvia was not allowed to go to a "Whites only" school in California. Her parents gathered the Hispanic community to fight this unfair rule. They filed a lawsuit in federal court. Their brave fight eventually ended school segregation in California.

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras (2015)

This book explores how calaveras (skeletons) became popular. These skeletons are shown doing everyday and festive activities. José Guadalupe Posada was an artist who drew political cartoons. He did this when people didn't have much freedom to speak their minds. His calavera drawings are especially famous for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Salsa: Un poema para cocinar / A Cooking Poem (2015)

In this fun book, Jorge Argueta, Elisa Amando, and Duncan Tonatiuh share an easy and tasty salsa recipe. The book describes the ingredients in a creative way. For example, tomatoes are like bongos, and onions are like trumpets. It makes cooking feel like making music!

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes (2016)

This is a beautiful legend about how two volcanoes were formed. Princess Izta had many people who wanted to marry her. But she fell in love with a brave warrior named Popoca. The emperor said they could marry if Popoca defeated their enemy. A trickster sent a false message to Princess Izta saying Popoca was dead. Heartbroken, Princess Izta fell into a deep sleep. This story explains the volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl (who sleeps) and Popocatépetl (who tries to wake her with ash and smoke).