Run, Little Chaski! - Hardcover

Llanos, Mariana

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1646861647 ISBN 13: 9781646861644

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2021

Synopsis

Also available in bilingual English and Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Navajo, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese!

A 2025 Toucan Award Winner

A 2022 Oklahoma Book Award Winner

★ ‘‘An appealing introduction to an important culture largely overlooked in children’s literature in the United States’’ – Kirkus Reviews

In this tale set in the ancient Inka (sometimes spelled Inca) empire, Little Chaski has a big job: he is the Inka King’s newest royal messenger. On his first day delivering messages he stops to help several creatures in need along the way, causing him to nearly miss his sunset deadline. But the kindness he bestowed on these animals winds up helping him in surprising ways. Descriptive language and bold illustrations give readers insight into Little Chaski’s nervousness and excitement as he runs the Inka Trail, working earnestly to fulfill the responsibilities of his new role.

About this title

About the Author

Mariana Llanos is a Peruvian-born writer of children's literature. Her books include Luca's Bridge, Eunice and Kate, Kutu the Tiny Inca Princess, and Poesia Alada. In 2017, she was selected as the Best Latino Artist by the Hispanic Arts Council of Oklahoma, where she resides. She is a member of the SCBWI and currently serves as the Inclusion and Diversity Chair for their Oklahoma Chapter. When she’s not writing, she enjoys baking, spending time with her children, and visiting schools to ignite the love for reading.

Mariana Ruiz Johnson is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and author. She likes to explore the narrative power of illustration and the relationship between images and words. Using vibrant palettes and different patterns and textures, she combines traditional techniques and digital media. Mariana lives in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina with her husband and two children.

Reviews

K-Gr 3—On Little Chaski's first day delivering messages, he must take a khipu bearing an important message from the Qoya (Queen) to the Inka (King). Little Chaski is nervous as he tries to deliver the missive before the sun sets, but as he runs through the Inka Trail, he bumps into numerous animals that cause him to stop—a chinchilla who needs help after hurting its leg, an allqu who falls into the river, and a condor trapped in a bush. As he races to the temple, he doesn't realize that the khipu has fallen somewhere on the trail. At the last moment, the animals Little Chaski has helped along the way arrive with the lost khipu, and also bring to Little Chaski approval from the King, who rewards him for his kindness with a special name. From the start, young readers will be filled with anticipation for Little Chaski as he races against time to deliver his message. Beautiful illustrations inspired by Peruvian folk art fill each page, bringing to life the beauty of the Inka culture. Quechua words are sprinkled throughout. A glossary and additional information about the Inka and South American animals accompany the text. Chaski is brown-skinned and Indigenous. VERDICT An excellent addition to picture book collections, providing a wonderful introduction to and a celebration of the Inka that will pull readers in from the start.—Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston

Edition details

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1646861647
• ISBN 13: 9781646861644
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Johnson Mariana Ruiz
• Number of pages: 32