El niño de maíz / The Boy of Maize

Written by Mario Bencastro | Piñata Books
Ages 5 to 10 | ISBN 978-1-55885-946-3

In a land where the yellow jaguar lives and the sun rises behind green mountains, “the earth was filled with joy” when Balám, the boy of maize, was born. He climbed on top of a big, blue turtle, and along with an assortment of other animals, began the journey to the village.

Mario Bencastro’s El niño de maíz / The Boy of Maize captures the essence of nature while telling the mythical story that unites Central American countries around the importance of corn. Characters including Balám, “the Mayan boy born from a plant of maize,” and the “bird with silky and brilliant feathers” come to life for the reader through Christina Rodriguez’s gorgeous illustrations.

Named to Bank Street College of Education’s starred list of “The Best Children's Picture Books in Spanish” in 2023.