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Vida: The Mice, the Cat, and the Alebrije
From Sibert Award– and Pura Belpré Medal–winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh comes a highly original fable inspired by Mexican folk art
The city of Mousetepec is a lively place filled with color, music, and alegría (joy). But everything changes one night when the shadow of un gato appears, growing larger and larger until it looms over the whole city. Fiestas are cancelled and the mercado empties as the cat terrorizes the townsfolk.
To save their town, two little mouse siblings—Vida and her brother, Máximo—make a brave plan to scare away the cat after a bright, fantastical creature called an alebrije appears to them in a dream.
Acclaimed author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh presents this imaginative fable that will encourage young readers to confront any “shadows” they may face in their lives with a spirit of courage and alegría.
Includes a note on alebrijes, the inspiration behind this fable, glossary, pronunciation guide, and bibliography
Also Los ratones, el gato y el alebrije (Spanish Edition)
The city of Mousetepec is a lively place filled with color, music, and alegría (joy). But everything changes one night when the shadow of un gato appears, growing larger and larger until it looms over the whole city. Fiestas are cancelled and the mercado empties as the cat terrorizes the townsfolk.
To save their town, two little mouse siblings—Vida and her brother, Máximo—make a brave plan to scare away the cat after a bright, fantastical creature called an alebrije appears to them in a dream.
Acclaimed author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh presents this imaginative fable that will encourage young readers to confront any “shadows” they may face in their lives with a spirit of courage and alegría.
Includes a note on alebrijes, the inspiration behind this fable, glossary, pronunciation guide, and bibliography
Also Los ratones, el gato y el alebrije (Spanish Edition)
- GenresPicture BooksLatinx
48 pages, Hardcover
Published November 11, 2025
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Duncan Tonatiuh
32 books253 followersI was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I received my BFA from Parsons School of Design and my BA from Eugene Lang College, both of them divisions of the New School University in New York City.
My first picture book "Dear Primo, a letter to my cousin" is published by H N Abrams and will be in stores March 1st, 2010.
My illustrations of the AH1N1 in Mexico were selected to be a part of CONACULTA's catalog of Mexican illustrators for children and young adults. They also appeared in the BBC when the pandemic broke out.
My short graphic novel Journey of a Mixteco was awarded the prize for the best thesis in the Integrated Design Curriculum department at Parsons. It appeared serially in the webcomix site topshelfcomix 2.0
I'm currently working on two new picture books. And I regularly upload new illustrations about current events to my blog.
My first picture book "Dear Primo, a letter to my cousin" is published by H N Abrams and will be in stores March 1st, 2010.
My illustrations of the AH1N1 in Mexico were selected to be a part of CONACULTA's catalog of Mexican illustrators for children and young adults. They also appeared in the BBC when the pandemic broke out.
My short graphic novel Journey of a Mixteco was awarded the prize for the best thesis in the Integrated Design Curriculum department at Parsons. It appeared serially in the webcomix site topshelfcomix 2.0
I'm currently working on two new picture books. And I regularly upload new illustrations about current events to my blog.
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