Early Work by Recent Poet Laureate
El venado (Colección Tula y Tonán)
Notes: One of a series of groundbreaking Chicano Movement children's picture books, written and illustrated by some of the most important Chicano activist writers and artists. The author was Alurista, the main illustrator was one of the original activist-artists of Chicano Park in San Diego, Victor Orozco Ochoa. The recent poet laureate of the United States, Juan Felipe Herrera, oversaw the project. Despite the cultural significance of the books in this series, all of which are very scarce, hardly any collections of children's books include even a single title in the series.
The stated mission of the series reads, "Cada uno de los libros desarrolla una moraleja indígena relacionada con el árbol de la vida y con la constante lucha humanizante contra la mata de espinas" [Each of the books develops an indigenous morality based on the tree of life and the constant humbling struggle against the thorn bush].
This story is about the forest adventures of a young girl, Tula, and a young boy, Tonán.
Text in Spanish. 24 pages. 8-1/2 by 11 inches. Illustrated throughout in black and white.
Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing). Some staining to the base of the front wrapper and evidence of sticker removal at the top of the wrappers (stapled pamphlet).
Publication: San Diego: Toltecas en Aztlán, 1973.
Item No: #360924
Price: $250