And Her Books as a Portal to Mexican Culture

By Alyssa Miller and Carleigh Welsh

Who is Yuyi?

Yuyi was born in Xalapa, Mexico in 1968
She is from a Mexican heritage
Her father influenced her love for art
She studied physical education and was a swim coach
Yuyi immigrated to USA in 1994 with her two month old baby boy Kelly
There were many language barriers, but used the public library to learn more English
She especially used picture books because if she didn't know a word, she can use the illustrations to help her.
Her family members were avid storytellers
After coming to the USA she missed the stories her Aunts and Uncles would tell her, the food, friends, a feeling of familiarity,. So she brought her culture to her work.

Socials

Twitter

Instagram

Popular Work by Yuyi Morales

Dreamers, 2018

Tells the story of a mother and son immigrating to a new home, and talks about the challenges that they overcame along the way. This is a true story of Yuyi and her son.

Viva Frida, 2014

This story tells the story of the world-renowned, and unconventional artist Frida Kahlo. This book is bilingual and has beautiful, vibrant illustrations.

Niño Wrestles the World

This story is also in Spanish and English, and is about a boy who wrestles with imaginary monsters.

Awards

Pura Belpre Award

Six time Recipient
Given to writer and illustrators whose work best celebrates Latino culture
Named after the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library

The Caldecott Award

Earned with her book "Viva Frida" in 2019
Given to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children
Named after nineteeth-century English illustrator Randolf Caldecott

Jane Addams Childrens Book Award

Showcases aesthetic excellence
engages children in topics of peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all

Golden Kite Award

Recognizes excellence in chidlren's literature.
Is annually given

Analysis Of the Illustrator

Yuyi Morales likes to use extremally bright colors.
Mostly all of her pieces represent or symbolize Mexican culture.
She uses a lot of symbolism such as the butterflies in "Dreamers"
Yuyi scans and photographs surfaces in her living space and things she finds to add texture to her illustrations.
She also likes to use other types of media such as acrilycs, paper, inks, and others.

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