Pilgrim Codex

by Vivian Mansour, Emmanuel Valtierra (illustrator)

For fans of Duncan Tonatiuh and Yuyi Morales' Dreamers, a one-of-a-kind picture book about one immigrant family's journey north, illustrated in the vein of an ancient codex and drawing upon Mesoamerican mythology.

We, the Vargas Ramírez family, come from a faraway place north of Tenochtitlan called Iztapalapa, Land of Clay Upon Water. A land surrounded by cars and dry grass; a place where the pieces of our small world were scattered. For some time we lived there, but then one day my father heard a beautiful birdsong that rose up and appeared to say tihui, tihui, tihui: let’s go, let’s go, let’s go. And so we gathered up our friends who made up that small world and decided to head north, for the other side, and a better life.

Together the Boy and his family will journey from the Land of the Frogs to The Place Where Feet Cry to the River Where the Waters Tangle, fleeing Gunmen and braving Coyotes and plunging darknesses as black as an obsidian forest. Originally published in Mexico, Pilgrim Codex (Códice peregrino) captures through the eyes of a child one family's part in the ever-changing and fleeting story of the brave migrant warriors who search for a better place to live.

Genres: Picture Books, Juvenile, Family, Childrens, Latinx

48 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Vivian Mansour (Ciudad de México) estudió ciencias de la comunicación en la Universidad Iberoamericana. Ha trabajado en el área creativa de varias agencias de publicidad, colaborado en distintos medios como radio, televisión y revistas; y hoy se dedica exclusivamente a la escritura. Es autora de diversos cuentos dirigidos a niños, el “público más difícil” con quienes, además, interactúa en talleres y como cuentacuentos. Sus relatos han sido merecedores del Premio de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil (1995) y del Premio a la Orilla del Viento (1997). Cuando escribe, a Vivian Mansour le gusta “registrar las palabras en el papel y esperar a que los niños den su propia interpretación a las historias”.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s beyond my words to describe how unique and poignant this book is. Drawing from traditional Mayan and Aztec uses of the Codex and combining it with modern imagery, this book is one I would consider a must read. I will be thinking about this picture book for a long time to come, and recommend you get to experience it as well. (Glossary in the back is very helpful for getting context on cultural references!)

[Dorothy Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, I discovered Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra and Carlos Rodriguez Cortez. From a glossary in the back of the book, I learned why the book’s title includes the word codex: “Codex: Ancestor to the modern book, where pages are either stacked and fastened to one edge or a single long sheet is secured and then folded up. In both pre-Hispanic and colonial times, the Aztecs and Mayans created codices filled with text and art from fig bark or other materials.”
Pilgrim Codex chronicles the story of escaping from poverty and danger to seek a better life. The young boy tells the story of the hardships the family faces. It is, indeed, the story of “the brave migrant warriors who search for a better place to live.”

Parents and children should read Pilgrim Codex together. The author and illustrators have included an “Author’s Note” which explains how the story came to the author. It also contains a glossary which is helpful to the readers.

The illustrations are excellent. They are colorful and expressive.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let Pilgrim Codex's size and appearance fool you. It may be a picture book, but it isn’t necessarily for young children. This colorful book was written by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, and translated from the Spanish by Carlos Rodríguez Cortez.
It traces a group of immigrants as they journey from Central America and Mexico into the United States of America. The story is told through the eyes of a young boy traveling with family members and others as they are led by coyotes (guides) across deserts and rivers and finally into America.
One of the loveliest aspects of this book is how the immigrants love and have faith in the Virgen de Guadalupe and how they believe that she protected them and got them to safety.
The illustrations, done in bold bright colors, are reminiscent of Mayan and Aztec murals. The colorful images depict how the immigrants faced many troubles and dangers while trying to find a way to a better life.
I highly recommend this book!

Published by Levine Querido, $18.99, 978-1-64614-515-7

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is truly an exceptional picture book that utilizes myths and illustrations to tell the story of an immigrant family seeking refuge in the United States. It has longer text and is meant for an older elementary and up audience, as some of the scenes are difficult to read about. Brilliant storytelling with both language and illustrations. And an important book for opening conversations with our children about the reality of so many issues individuals are facing today.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the art is in the Aztec style, yet contains recognizable modern-day characters. This is unsuitable for storytime, as it has full pages of text, followed by the art telling the story in almost pictograph allegorical format. The story is a familiar one; of leaving home, enduring horrific hardships and confusion, all to get to a better life. Given the current political climate, this story absolutely needs to be told.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant picture book, but don’t mistake it’s size. This would be a superb book to use in high school classes: art, history, current affairs, folklore.

Highly recommended for older kids, not for little kids, as it is very complex.


* This book just won the Mildred Bachelder Award in 2026 given for best book originally published in another language for students, and then translated to English.
Well deserved.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A key to this book's greatness is in its title, Pilgrim Codex: not Alien Codex, not Illegals Codex. So many layers of meaning here, so much to reflect on, and so much humanity to be gained in the process. Pilgrims of hope!

[Fiore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully stylized and like a dream journey to a better place with plenty of darkness along the way. Does a lovely job of cushioning the terrifying possibilities with a vein of the mythical for younger audiences.

[Judy Ripke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing Mixtec Codices influenced the colorful art of this picture book that tells a challenging and heart-breaking story of immigration.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Witty immigrant story told with images and syntax drawn from Mayan codex.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book for older readers.

[Peg O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool, but too text heavy for my library I think.

[Hildie · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing story of Mexican migrants current day, with cool art that evokes older Codices.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting with really compelling illustrations. It’s a little lengthy for a typical picture book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, unique art style

[Yutzil Valeria · Rating 5 out of 5]

chinga la migra

feels so special that a book like this exists