Vida: The Mice, the Cat, and the Alebrije

by Duncan Tonatiuh

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) 

Genres: Picture Books, Latinx, Childrens, Animals

48 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always delight in this author's illustrations that reference indigenous Mexican art forms but here they seem especially resonant. The story of a happy village of mice who fall prey to the terrorizing influence of a cat and must abandon their colorful and connected life in the town to live in fear inside has so many themes that kids can relate to; resilience, inventiveness, family, community, bravery and joy. That a young girl comes up with the solution using the crafts and strengths of their community is so smart, and incorporating the otherworldliness of dreams and magical creatures will make total sense to a child. For the adults there will be echoes of tyranny and oppression, given a nod by the author's dedication to the disappeared. Excellent back matter. What an inspiring book.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tonatiuh based his story very loosely on the Aesop fable of the mice who wanted to bell a cat. Only, in this case, they don't bell the cat, they create a large, terrifying piñata to scare the cat (successfully). Tonatiuh's signature art style (using digital collage) is rendered on some pages infused with color and on other pages in shades of black and gray. A fun story that primary grade students will enjoy.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for all ages! I enjoyed this new take on an Aesop fable with the colorful addition of a large alebrije. We purchased five colorful carved alebrijes in Oaxaca, Mexico and admire how each one is unique—with a magical story waiting to be told!

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and story in this fable about community and problem-solving. Includes back matter with a pronunciation guide and info about the influential artists behind the artwork focused on in this book.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in Tonatiuh's growing series of stories inspired by Mexican folktales finds two brave young mice stand up to an intimidating cat--with a bit of magical help from a magical creature.

I really enjoyed the art in this one, especially the way Tonatiuh uses color to express mood.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Tonatiuh's illustrations, and this book DELIVERS. This fable about the power of community and collective hope and art is awash with bright, bold, folk-art-inspired illustrations interspersed with a darkness that is just-menacing-enough to draw children in without overwhelming. Fantastic.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of the climax in An American Tail.

[Maddi Capellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book, I liked it's use of Latinx culture.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative in illustration as well as how the mice devise ideas to keep the cat away making their town more bright and decorative in both art and music. The cat is frightened by an alebrijer which is a very large artful fantastical artistic creature.
Title features information on alebrijes, a glossary and a brief bibliography.

[Penny Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations. Alibrijes are one of my favorite creations to collect, and I have a goddaughter named Vida! She's sure to love this book.