A Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator Honor Book!
An ALA/ALSC Notable Children's Book!
STARRED REVIEW *"Incandescent, humane and terribly necessary."
―Kirkus Reviews
STARRED REVIEW *"Pancho Rabbit's trip has the feel of a classic fable
or fairy tale." ―Publishers Weekly
This allegorical picture book about the hardships and struggles of
immigration from award-winning children's book author and illustrator
Duncan Tonatiuh tells the story of a young rabbit named Pancho eagerly
awaiting his papa's return.
Papa Rabbit left two years ago to travel far away north to find work in
the great carrot and lettuce fields to earn money for his family. When
Papa does not return home on the designated day, Pancho sets out to find
him.
He packs Papa's favorite meal--mole, rice and beans, a heap of
still-warm tortillas, and a jug full of fresh aguamiel--and heads north.
Along the way, Pancho crosses a river, climbs a fence, and passes
through a tunnel guarded by uniformed, bribe-taking snakes. He soon
meets a coyote, who offers to help Pancho in exchange for some of Papa's
favorite foods. They travel together until the food is gone and the
coyote decides he is still hungry . . . for Pancho!
Tonatiuh enlivens Pancho's story with the spirit of regional folklore,
and he adds cultural atmosphere in arresting, flat folk art filled with
cultural references. Of course, "coyote" has two meanings here. With
tenderness and honesty, he brings to light the trials and tribulations
facing families who seek to make better lives for themselves and their
children by illegally crossing borders.
