The Flame of Peace: A Tale of the Aztecs

Deborah Nourse Lattimore

ISBN 10: 0060237090 ISBN 13: 9780060237097

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1987

Synopsis

To prevent the outbreak of war, a young Aztec boy must outwit nine evil lords of the night to obtain the flame of peace from Lord Morning Star

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-4 Intellectually and graphically brilliant illustrations complement the tale of Two Flint, an Aztec boy who seeks new fire for the temples of Tenochtitlan. War among cities is imminent unless temple fires are renewed with flame from Lord Morning Star, but to reach Lord Morning Star, Two Flint must outwit nine evil demons. Two Flint succeeds, and when he brings Lord Morning Star's gift of new fire back to Tenochtitlan, warring warriors break their spears and become friends. Done in the Aztec mode of pictorial representation found today in remnant Aztec paintings and sculpture, the intensely colorful illustrations stun the eye and demand interpretation. A glossary of pictorial details is printed on the endpapers, and matching these with similar details in the illustrations is an enlightening and satisfying experience that enlarges understanding and appreciation of the Aztec world. A few of these details appear in Barbara Cooney's western-tradition illustrations for John Bierhorst's translation of the Aztec tale Spirit Child: a Story of the Nativity (Morrow, 1984), but these two outstanding picture books are wholly different in concept and execution. George Gleason, Department of English, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

In an ancient Aztec city, the death of a peace negotiator prompts his son, Two Flint, to set out on a journey. He hopes that Lord Morning Star will entrust him with the New Fire of peace. But nine evil demons block his path; Two Flint wisely sizes up his adversaries and uses the frailties of one demon to defeat another. Lattimore's compelling tale is based on the real Alliance of Cities, which marked the beginning of many years of peace. This well-crafted story is a welcome vehicle through which much can be learned about the most advanced ancient civilization in the Western Hemisphere. Lattimore's vibrant full-color art is a triumphant mixture of symbolism and dramatic storytelling. Figures in the style of drawings from the period are authentically executed in sparkling colors on a mottled background, reminiscent of animal skin or bark paper. Even the end papers of this beautiful book enhance the visual content by providing a key to the objects and symbols within. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0060237090
• ISBN 13: 9780060237097
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40