Prietita and the Ghost Woman / Prietita y la llorona

By Gloria Anzaldúa, Maya Gonzalez

Bilingual English/Spanish. Gloria Anzaldúa uniquely reinterprets the famous Mexican legend of la Llorona.

Description

Ever since she can remember, Prietita has heard frightening stories about la Llorona-the legendary ghost woman who steals children at night. One day, when Prietita goes in search of the missing herb that can help cure her mother’s illness, she becomes lost in the woods. Suddenly she hears a distant crying sound and sees flashes of white in the trees. Could it be the ghost woman from her grandmother’s stories?

In her second book for children, Gloria Anzaldúa reinterprets the famous Mexican legend of la Llorona, the ghost woman. Surrounded by the live oak and prickly pear of the Texas woods, Prietita discovers that la Llorona is not what people expect. In this magical story, Prietita’s search for the healing rue plant turns into a powerful journey of self-discovery.

About the Creators

Gloria Anzaldúa

Gloria Anzaldúa was a major Mexican American/Chicana literary voice, scholar, and activist. Her first book for Children's Book Press, Friends from the Other Side/Amigos del otro lado, about a brave young girl's friendship with an immigrant boy and his mother, was praised by School Library Journal as "an important book touching on a timely and sensitive issue." She passed away in 2004.

Maya Gonzalez

Maya Gonzalez is an award-winning children’s book artist, author, activist and progressive educator. Their work addresses systemic inequity in relation to race/ethnicity, sexism, and cissexism using children’s books as radical agents of change and healing, both personally and culturally. Gonzalez co-founded Reflection Press, a POC, queer and trans owned independent publishing house that uses holistic, nature-based, and anti-oppression frameworks in their books and materials for kids and grown-ups. They are also the creator of the Gender Wheel, a tool to express the dynamic, infinite and inclusive reality of gender, and provides lectures and workshops to educators, parents and caregivers. Visit them online at mayagonzalez.com.

Awards

  • Américas Award Commended Title

    Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892391677
  • Publication Date May 01, 2014
  • Trim Size 9.5 × 8.5 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Legends, Myths, Fables / General
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Ghost Stories
  • Themes Bilingual, Conflict resolution, Courage, Cultural Diversity, Environment / Nature, Fiction, Folktale / Folklore / Traditional Literature, Friendship, Heroism, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Mothers, Nature / Science, Overcoming Obstacles
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 5
  • Guided Reading P
  • Spanish Guided Reading P
  • ATOS Book Level 4.1
  • DRA 34
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 600
  • SRC 4.5
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 46
      Trauma-Informed Collection
      Collection of 46 books: $639.75

      Alicia Afterimage

      A story of remembrance as well as an exploration of teen grief and healing, recounting the life and death of the author's sixteen-year-old daughter, as told through her parents' and friends' recollections, thoughts, feelings, and memories. For YA and adults.

      Singing with Momma Lou

      A young African American girl helps her grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, regain some of her memories.

      Rent Party Jazz

      An African American boy living in New Orleans in the 1930s raises money to pay the rent with the help of a popular jazz musician.

      The Upside Down Boy / El niño de cabeza

      Bilingual English/Spanish. The Upside Down Boy is award-winning poet Juan Felipe Herrera's engaging memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first time.

      Rise!

      In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, this beautiful biography of Maya Angelou describes how she rose above a childhood of trauma and emotional pain to become one of the most inspiring voices of our lifetime.

      When the Horses Ride By

      Through these graceful and eloquent poems, written from the child's perspective, readers will experience this resilience, this optimism, and understand that it is possible to get through difficult and unsettling times while holding onto one's hopes and dreams for a better, more peaceful future. 

      Selvakumar Knew Better

      This true story of a courageous and clever dog who saved a boy's life during the devastating tsunami of 2004 is sure to touch the hearts of readers of all ages.

      The Road to Santiago

      A fictional story about a boy and his family in Havana who overcome obstacles to reach their relatives in Santiago to celebrate Christmas during the Cuban revolution in the 1950s.

      Ahimsa

      In this historical middle-grade novel, Gandhi asks for one member of each family to join the fight for independence from the British, and when Anjali's mother is jailed for doing so, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work.

      Rattlesnake Mesa

      A true account of a spirited Native American girl's experiences growing up on a reservation and attending Phoenix Indian School in the 1920s, written in an engaging, unconventional style and accompanied by 38 dramatic photographs.

      All the Stars Denied

      In a companion novel to her critically acclaimed Shame the Stars, Pura Belpré Award Winner Guadalupe García McCall tackles the hidden history of the United States and its first mass deportation that swept up hundreds of thousands of Mexican American citizens during the Great Depression.

      Summer of the Mariposas

      In this young adult retelling of The Odyssey, Odilia and her four sisters journey to Mexico to return a dead man to his family and encounter magical creatures along the way.

      My Diary from Here to There / Mi diario de aqui hasta allá

      Bilingual English/Spanish. One night, young Amada overhears her parents whisper of moving from Mexico to the other side of the border- to Los Angeles, where greater opportunity awaits.

      Under the Mesquite

      Lupita, a budding actor and poet in a close-knit Mexican American immigrant family, comes of age as she struggles with adult responsibilities during her mother's long illness.

      Chess Rumble

      A story in free verse about a troubled boy who learns to use his mind instead of his fists through the guidance of an unconventional mentor and the game of chess.

      Yummy

      A graphic novel based on the life and death of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, an eleven-year-old gang member from Chicago's Southside who was killed by his own gang members.

      I Am Alfonso Jones

      The Hate U Give meets The Lovely Bones in this unflinching graphic novel about the afterlife of a young man killed by an off-duty police officer, co-illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist John Jennings.

      Indian No More

      When Regina's Umpqua tribe is legally terminated and her family must relocate from Oregon to Los Angeles, she goes on a quest to understand her identity as an Indian despite being so far from home.

      Brothers in Hope

      Based on heartbreaking yet inspirational true events in the lives of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Brothers in Hope is a story of remarkable courage, and an amazing testament to the unyielding power of the human spirit.

      A House by the River

      A young girl learns her rickety, old house by the river is stronger than the fiercest storm because it is fortified by love and family.

      The Three Lucys

      After a young Lebanese boy loses one of his beloved cats when his village comes under attack, he must learn to cope with loss and hope for a peaceful future.

      Calling the Water Drum

      A moving story about a family's attempt to flee Haiti in a boat, and a young boy who bravely learns to navigate a new world through playing his drum.

      The Wishing Tree

      When Ming and his grandmother visit the wishing tree on the Lunar New Year, his wishes always seem to come true. But one year the tree does not help, and Ming alone must make peace with the loss of his grandmother and the spirit of the tree.

      Juna's Jar

      After Juna's best friend moves away, Juna, an imaginative Korean American girl, goes on magical adventures by way of her special kimchi jar.

      A Shelter in Our Car

      Zettie and her Mama left their warm and comfortable home in Jamaica for an uncertain life in the United Sates, and they are forced to live in Mama's car.

      First Day in Grapes

      The powerful story of a migrant boy who grows in self-confidence when he uses his math prowess to stand up to the school bullies.

      Amelia's Road

      A girl from a migrant worker family overcomes the hardship of moving by creating a special place for herself.

      Gettin' Through Thursday

      A young African American boy experiences the love and support of his family as they try to make ends meet each week.

      Antonio's Card / La tarjeta de Antonio

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A tender story about a boy struggling to express his love for his mother and her partner in a nontraditional family.

      Grandfather's Story Cloth

      Chersheng feels sad and helpless when he learns that Grandfather has Alzheimer's Disease, but then Chersheng's mother presents him with a story cloth stitched by Grandfather himself, embroidered in the Hmong tradition.

      Grandma's Purple Flowers

      An African American girl who cherishes her frequent visits to her favorite Grandma finds a way to remember her grandmother with hope and joy after she passes away.

      Janna and the Kings

      Saturdays are special for Janna. That's when she and Granddaddy spend the whole day together.

      Soledad Sigh-Sighs / Soledad suspiros

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A picture book about eight-year-old Soledad, a latchkey child whose friends come up with an imaginative solution to make Soledad feel less lonely when she gets home from school.

      Joshua's Masai Mask

      A magical Masai mask takes an African American boy on a series of adventures, and he discovers the joy of being himself.

      Sparkle Boy

      Young Casey loves sparkly things, just like his older sister, who does not approve until an encounter with teasing bullies helps her learn to accept and respect Casey for who he is.

      DeShawn Days

      In this uplifting story told in verse, a young boy living in the inner city projects tells about his hopes, fears, and dreams.

      The Blue Roses

      A modern-day Native American girl learns to understand the cycle of life after her grandfather dies.

      Prietita and the Ghost Woman / Prietita y la llorona

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Gloria Anzaldúa uniquely reinterprets the famous Mexican legend of la Llorona.

      Raymond's Perfect Present

      When he tries to surprise his sick mother with flowers that he grew, a Chinese American boy receives a nice surprise of his own.

      A Song for Cambodia

      The true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, Cambodian American musician and human rights activist, who as a young boy survived Khmer Rouge work camps by learning to play a musical instrument.

      From North to South / Del Norte al Sur

      Bilingual English/Spanish. This nuanced picture book tackles the difficult and timely subject of family separation and deportation.

      Bird

      In this gentle, award-winning picture book, an African American boy nicknamed Bird uses drawing as a creative outlet as he struggles to make sense of his grandfather's death and his brother's drug addiction.

      Home to Medicine Mountain

      Two young Maidu Indian brothers sent to live at a government-run Indian residential school in California in the 1930s find a way to escape and return home for the summer.

      It Doesn't Have To Be This Way / No tiene que ser así

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Monchi likes to write poems, hang out with his cousin Dreamer, and tell stories to his uncle, Tío Rogelio, until one day, a member of the local gang tells him it's time to join up.

      Friends from the Other Side / Amigos del otro lado

      Having crossed the Rio Grande into Texas with his mother in search of a new life, Joaquín receives help and friendship from Prietita a brave young Mexican American girl.

      Malala Yousafzai

      The inspiring true story of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who has become an international activist for universal education, with beautiful collage illustrations by award-winning artist Susan L. Roth.

      728 in stock

    • 64
      Latin American Spanish/Bilingual Collection
      Collection of 64 books: $890.80

      My Papa Diego and Me / Mi papá Diego y yo

      "When most people think of my father, Diego Rivera, they think of him as a famous painter... His hard work, dedication, and talent taught me that if you work hard at your passion, you can achieve your dreams."

      Guadalupe Rivera Marín had a very unusual childhood, growing up among world famous artwork. Her papá, Diego Rivera, was a larger-than-life figure who created unforgettable images of working people, of life in Mexico, of industrial machines and flowers. But Diego Rivera also loved to paint children, and you'll find them inside the pages of this book, along with lessons and wisdom he passed along to his eldest daughter.

      Guadalupe Rivera Marín shares some of her childhood memories of the world-renowned artist who also happened to be her papá. Her recollections are tender, humorous, and unexpected. This intimate artistic portrait will delight readers, from the youngest art lovers to Diego Rivera's biggest fans.

      ¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z! Descubriendo el bosque nublado / Olinguito, from A to Z! Unveiling the Cloud Forest

      Using the framework of the Spanish alphabet, this bilingual nonfiction book introduces readers to a cloud forest in the Andes; the plants, animals, and other organisms found there; and the newly-identified olinguito, a South American mammal.

      Featherless / Desplumado

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Award-winning children's book author and poet Juan Felipe Herrera offers a story of self-empowerment and friendship.

      Family Pictures / Cuadros de familia

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In this Pura Belpré Honor-winning book, Carmen Lomas Garza tells the story of her childhood growing up in Kingsville, TX.

      In My Family / En mi familia

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza's second book of family pictures, a continuing tribute to the loving family and community that shaped her childhood-and her life.

      Grandma and Me at the Flea / Los Meros Meros Remateros

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Every Sunday, Juanito helps his grandmother sell old clothes beneath the rainbow-colored tents at the remate, the flea market.

      Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the imagination of poet Francisco X. Alarcón comes Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, a playful and moving collection of twenty poems in English and Spanish.

      Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems

      Following the success of their award-winning book of spring poems, Laughing Tomatoes, and their acclaimed collection of summer poems, From the Bellybutton of the Moon, poet Francisco Alarcón and artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invite us to experience fall in Los Angeles-the City of Angels-where dreams can come true.

      From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. From the Bellybutton of the Moon is renowned poet Francisco X. Alarcón's collection of 22 poems inspired by his touching recollections of childhood summers in Mexico.

      Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In their final collection of seasonal poetry, poet Francisco X. Alarcón and artist Maya Christina Gonzalez invite us to celebrate winter-by the seashore, in the magic city of San Francisco, and in the ancient redwood forests of the Sierras.

      It Doesn't Have To Be This Way / No tiene que ser así

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Monchi likes to write poems, hang out with his cousin Dreamer, and tell stories to his uncle, Tío Rogelio, until one day, a member of the local gang tells him it's time to join up.

      The Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A bilingual biography of Pura Belpré, New York City's first Latina librarian.

      Quinito, Day and Night / Quinito, día y noche

      From the author and illustrator of Quinito's Neighborhood comes this delightful story full of opposites.

      Quinito's Neighborhood / El Vecindario de Quinito

      Join Quinito as he introduces the people and places of his neighborhood.

      The Harvest Birds / Los pájaros de la cosecha

      Bilingual English/Spanish. The zanate birds advise Juan to keep the weeds around his land and to plant beans, squash, and corn together.

      Uncle Nacho's Hat / El sombrero del Tío Nacho

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A classic Nicaraguan folktale: when Ambrosia gives her Uncle Nacho a new hat, he tries to get rid of his old one, but to no avail.

      Animal Poems of the Iguazú / Animalario del Iguazú

      let's listen to / the green voice / of the rainforest

      The animals of the Iguazú speak for themselves, creating a collection of poems that will resonate with readers of all ages.

      Maya's Blanket

      Bilingual English/Spanish. Based on a Yiddish folk song, a young girl's cherished baby blanket becomes old and worn over time and she finds new ways to use it as she grows up.

      My First Book of Proverbs / Mi primer libro de dichos

      This bilingual book is the perfect introduction for young children to well-loved proverbs in English and Spanish.

      Finding the Music / En pos de la música

      Bilingual English/Spanish. In this cheerful book, a determined Latina girl accidentally breaks her grandfather's vihuela and ventures into her community to find someone who can fix the instrument, leading her to discover his legacy as a mariachi player.

      Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora del arcoíris

      Bilingual English/Spanish. A young Mayan girl isn't allowed to use her mother's thread to weave, so with a little ingenuity she discovers how to repurpose plastic bags to create colorful weavings. Based on an actual recycling movement in Guatemala.

      Sharuko

      A fascinating bilingual picture book biography of Peruvian archaeologist and national icon Julio C. Tello, who unearthed Peru's ancient cultures and fostered pride in the country's Indigenous history.

      ¡Béisbol! Pioneros y leyendas del béisbol Latino

      In Spanish. Learn about fourteen legendary Latino baseball players in this fascinating and colorfully written collection.

      Alicia and the Hurricane / Alicia y el huracán

      Bestselling author Lesléa Newman offers a tender and timely story of a Puerto Rican child facing a hurricane and her concern for the beloved coquíes of her home island.

      La autora de bestsellers Lesléa Newman ofrece un tierno y oportuno cuento de una niña puertorriqueña que enfrenta un huracán y su preocupación por los amados coquíes de su isla natal.

      Donde las maravillas crecen (Where Wonder Grows)

      A 2023 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner

      De las creadoras del galardonado libro ilustrado All Around Us llega otra historia lírica intergeneracional que explora nuestra conexión con la naturaleza, la familia y las tradiciones.

      From the creators of the award-winning picture book All Around Us comes another lyrical intergenerational story exploring our connection to nature, family, and traditions.

      Por todo nuestro alrededor

      Este hermoso libro ilustrado, ganador del Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor y del American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honor, celebra los círculos que nos rodean, en el cielo, la tierra, nuestros vecindarios, nosotros mismos ... si nos atrevemos a buscarlos.

      Galápagos Girl / Galapagueña

      This charming bilingual English & Spanish picture book from the illustrator of Mango, Abuela, and Me introduces the fascinating creatures of the Galápagos Islands through the life of one very lucky girl.

      Todos Iguales / All Equal

      The empowering true story of the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident, in which Mexican families in southern California won the first Mexican American school desegregation case in US history.

      I'll Build You a Bookcase / Te haré tu propio librero (Spanish-English bilingual edition)

      In this charming bilingual picture book, children and their caregivers work together to build home libraries and discover the magic and wonder of reading books.

      En este encantador libro bilingüe, niños y sus cuidadores trabajan juntos para construir un librero y descubren la magia y la maravilla de leer libros.

      ¡Los Zombis no comen verduras! / Zombies Don't Eat Veggies

      En este encantador debut de una talentosa pareja, Mo Romero es un zombi con un secreto profundo y oscuro...

      ¡Sí, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!

      When the janitors' union strikes for better wages, Carlitos discovers a way to help his mother in this powerful bilingual picture book.

      Cuando el sindicato de conserjes organiza una huelga para exigir mejores salarios, Carlitos descubre una manera en que le puede ayudar a su madre en este poderoso libro ilustrado bilingüe.

      Armando y la escuela de lona azul

      In Spanish. The story of a young Mexican boy living in a colonia (trash dump community) who takes the first steps toward realizing his dream of getting an education.