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, Childrens, Immigration, Family, Indigenous, Latinx, Juvenile

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!)

[Ccaywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mexican boy narrates his family’s journey north to the US in the company of friends. He shares his feelings and observations but mostly just accepts what he is told. For example, he says they left because his father heard a bird singing “tihui,” Nahuatl for “let’s go.” His metaphors and manner of speaking are a blend of native and Spanish influences and the endpapers offer a short glossary of proper nouns.

The Aztec people created illustrated manuscripts before and after the Spanish conquest. Some codices told how that conquest was understood through an indigenous cultural lens. Pilgrim Codex applies this tradition to modern immigration to the US. But in an Aztec codex, images are more than simply illustrations because their writing system used pictographic symbols, sometimes with direct meaning and sometimes as sounds to combine into words.

The illustrations in Pilgrim Codex, even more than those in Duncan Tonatiuh’s books, employ indigenous artistic conventions for eyes, ears, hand positions, and the like. Some of the symbols were easy to interpret – footprints for walking and scrolling lines from the mouth for talking. But others left me frustrated that no glossary of the symbols is included. I don’t think the illustrator, Emmanuel Valtierra, was just decorating pages because the original audience for the book was Mexican.

While this is a picturebook, I think it is more appropriate for teens and adults who can understand it in context. With them, it could provoke thoughtful discussions. The English translation of Pilgrim Codex is a 2026 Batchelder Honor Book.

[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

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vargas family embarks on a dangerous journey from their home across a desert. Aided by their own wits and bravery, and Coyotes to get them past the hardest part - the family is desperate to leave their situation and come to a land where they can dream.

Told from the perspective of a young boy and written as a nod to the ancient Mesoamerican codex - the illustrations are reminiscent of the art of the Aztec and Mayan people. The initial pages read as though partially in code, like a poetic beginning of an odyssey. I was afraid I wouldn't connect, but soon the story made itself clear, and I joined the family on their journey. Although the size of a child's picture book, the intended audience is more appropriately set at upper elementary. The characters are from Central America or Mexico

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unique and inventive way of using indigenous storytelling techniques to tell a very modern story.

Mimicking the storytelling rotes of older times, with an art style, recalling Aztec codexes, the team behind this picture book tells the story of how it feels to be a child immigrating to the United States.

Older readers will understand what is going on, as pretty much every single aspect of a migrants journey is spoken of in coded languages, a lyrical allusions. (a winged man flying on a metal beast, implies an airplane, etc. )

Younger readers may be terrified at the realities portrayed, such as a woman’s feet being torn apart and bloody, her screams vividly recounted on page. Or items being stolen by other migrants, realities that I think a lesser book would steer away from.

I really important read for immigrant heritage month.

[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.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (it wa okay)

This was not for me. I almost did not finish after the first couple pages. It was very dense and hard to understand, especially the description of the people who were going on the journey. I did continue and ended up not completely hating it as I did appreciate the insight it gave into the life of migrant workers trying to cross the border. I would definitely NOT recommend for elementary aged students though.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a highly stylized tale of a family fleeing their home to find a better life elsewhere. The illustrations mimic those that might be found in a Mayan or Aztec codex. The story uses Mesoamerican words, phrases, and mythological allusions to describe the people and depict the action, making the tale more exotic (and perhaps a bit opaque) but no less harrowing. The author’s note invites all who read it to be empathetic and welcoming to those that are coming now or in the future.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this story of a young boy and his family emigrating from Mexico to the US in the voice of the Mayan codex. I think you might need an interpreter for this one to help you understand the symbols. Even with the glossary at the end, I found it tricky to understand the references. For a specific audience, I think it would be very affirming.

[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.

[Ilse O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual, creative, and thought-provoking. Stunning artwork in ancient Mesoamerican style, similar to Duncan Tonatiuh. While this is a picture book, it is complex and may be challenging for young readers. Best for middle and high school — and adults. Or young readers with adult support.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A view of a family's harrowing journey to the US through the eyes of a child, illustrated if the style of an ancient codex and using Mesoamerican mythology.

Rounded up for the Author's Note and her plea to be a bit more humane and friendly.

[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

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this one but not the execution.

[Kate McCartney · Rating 4 out of 5]

2026 YMA Mildred L Batchhelder honor

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super unique picture book in the style of Central American codices that tells the story of one family's journey to migrate north over the border. It uses a wealth of mesoamerican symbols and styles while also highlighting the vast dangers the family encounters along the way. It's a story of yearning and bravery and struggle. The art is beautiful and there's a glossary at the end that explains terminology!