This is a beautifully told story about a warrior and a princess who fall in love. In order to get married the emperor will only give his blessing if the warrior, Popoca, defeats their enemy. Popoco and the princess, Izta love one another, as Popoco sees her for who she truly is, and not what riches he can provide for her. He agrees and goes off to fight. Unfortunately though they win, there is a Romeo and Juliet kind of feel to the ending where she takes a potion that makes her fall into a deathlike sleep. Popoco is forever in love and devoted to her though and lays next to her. The legend says that his why there is a sleeping woman volcano and a smoky mountain next to one another, they lay there together to this day. The sleeping woman volcano never stirs but the smoky mountain occasionally does, signifying Popoco trying to wake his sleeping princess. This is a beautifully told story and the illustrations are fantastic. The author explains more about the traditional tale, the real volcano mountains in Mexico and the tribes these stories came from at the end of the book. ( )

Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-4
Award: The Pura Belpré Award ( )

Ittza is an Aztec princess whose beautify is known far and wide. She has many suitors, but Popoca is the boy she desires, because he has a heart full of love to ordere her instead of riches. Her father does not approve, so he challenged Popoca to battle Jaguars Claw, a fearsome enemy of Itza’ village . Today, two volcanoes overlook Mexico City: Popodatepetl and Itzaccihu ; there names form a couple long ago.

This book provides a marvelous look at Aztec history and tradition, as well as beautiful illustrations. It is about a girls power to make her own choices and true love’s ytriupmpg over all.

Excellent, stylized art and a very well told tale. ( )

Title: The Princess and the Warrior
- Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
- Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh
- Publisher: ABRAMS
- Date: September 20, 2016 (date published)
- Pages: 35
- Type of book/genre: Picture book, folktale with some non-fiction
- Short Summary of the Plot : The story begins with a princess named Izta, who liked to spend time with people that grew corn and teach them poetry. There were many suitors who wanted her hand in marriage, and all said the same things, that she was beautiful, you can live in my grand palace, you never have to be in the corn again. The princess always had the same answer to them, no thank you. Then a warrior named Popoca spoke with her, he had no gifts, but promised to love her for who she is; Izta fell in love with him. However, the emperor did not want her to marry him even though he was a great warrior; the emperor said if he finally defeated their enemy Jaguar claw, so they went to battle and he thought of Izta the whole time. Unfortunately, Jaguar Claw stole Popoca’s personal messages and had someone relay to the princess that Popoca died and to offer her a potion to soothe her grief. When Izta found this out she refused to believe it and locked herself away, she drank the potion and fell into a sleep that she could not wake up from. When Popoca returned with his crew, they were shocked of the message that was delivered and that Izta would not wake up. Popoca carried her outside, laid her down, and never left her side waiting for her to wake up. They were replaced by two volcanos, one always sleeping, and one that spews ash waiting for the other to wake up.
- Tags/subject headings that describe the content: princess, love, dedication, battle.
- My response: I enjoyed this book and the reference to the volcanos that signifies the characters. I also really like that the author includes a bibliography at the end of where he got his information.