The First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story Author: Rudolfo Anaya
Illustrator: Amy Cordova Publisher: University of New Mexico
Press Rudolfo Anaya, author of one of my all-time favorite
books, Bless Me Ultima has written a magical and lovely folktale
about the origins of that of us Mexicanos/Chicanos, the
delicious tortilla. The First Tortilla is the story of Jade, an
indigenous girl that lives in a small village near a volcano.
Her village has been suffering through a drought and all their
squash and bean plants are dying. Jade prays to the Mountain
Spirit to bring rain so that the precious plants will live and
her village won’t go hungry. As Jade works in the garden, a blue
hummingbird brings a message to go find the Mountain Spirit and
ask for rain. Without a question for her safety Jade sets off,
braving the volcano and follows the hummingbird to the very top
where she meets the Mountain Spirit. She offers the spirit food
made by her own hand and he is so pleased with it that he gives
her the gift of corn which