La Llorona: The Crying Woman

by Rudolfo Anaya, Amy Córdova (Illustrator)

Overview

La Llorona, the Crying Woman, is the legendary creature who haunts rivers, lakes, and lonely roads. Said to seek out children who disobey their parents, she has become a "boogeyman," terrorizing the imaginations of New Mexican children and inspiring them to behave. But there are other lessons her tragic history can demonstrate for children. In Rudolfo Anaya's version Maya, a young woman in ancient Mexico, loses her children to Father Time's cunning. This tragic and informative story serves as an accessible message of mortality for children. La Llorona, deftly translated by Enrique Lamadrid, is familiar and newly informative, while Amy Córdova's rich illustrations illuminate the story. The legend as retold by Anaya, a man as integral to southwest tradition as La Llorona herself, is storytelling anchored in a very human experience. His book helps parents explain to children the reality of death and the loss of loved ones.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826344625
Publisher:	University of New Mexico Press
Publication date:	08/24/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	42
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Rudolfo Anaya, widely acclaimed as one of the founders of modern Chicano literature, is professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico. He is best known for the classic Bless Me Ultima.
Amy Cordova lives in Taos, New Mexico, and is a longtime artist and educator. She has illustrated many children's books and has won several awards for illustration, including the ALA Pura Belpró Award.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3–5—This revised edition of Maya's Children: The Story of La Llorona (Univ. of New Mexico, 1997) is infused with new life, mainly due to Córdova's colorful illustrations. The story follows Maya, who was born with a birthmark on her shoulder that appears to be the sun. The chief priest sees it and knows that she will live forever. He also warns her parents that Señor Tiempo, or Father Time, will not like this and will try to find a way to end her gift of immortality. As Maya grows older and yearns for children, her wish comes true but her happiness is short-lived. Ultimately, Señor Tiempo tricks her, and her children disappear in a storm. Maya is condemned to roaming the land in search of them forever. While unnecessary, the final paragraph spells out a lesson for readers, but the rest of the text succeeds. The translation, which is side by side with the English text, is easy to understand. The illustrations will keep readers interested with the deep, earthy hues employed throughout. This child-friendly story is an excellent addition to the folklore that already exists concerning La Llorona and will no doubt create many new believers.—Roberto Zapata, San Antonio Public Library, TX

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