Diego Rivera: His World and Ours

Discover the life and legacy of celebrated Mexican artist Diego Rivera in this picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh.

A Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner!

STARRED REVIEW *＂The author makes art both aspiration and action. . . . This book will thrill budding artists.＂ ―Kirkus Reviews

＂Young artists will find inspiration for their own creations.＂ ―Booklist

Diego, one of the most famous painters of the 20th century, was once just a mischievous little boy who loved to draw. But this little boy would grow up to follow his passion and greatly influence the world of art. After studying in Spain and France as a young man, Diego was excited to return to his home country of Mexico.

There, he toured from the coasts to the plains to the mountains. He met the peoples of different regions and explored the cultures, architecture, and history of those who had lived before. Returning to Mexico City, he painted great murals representing all that he had seen. He provided the Mexican people with a visual history of who they were and, most importantly, who they are.

Tonatiuh, who has also been inspired by the art and culture of his native Mexico, asks, if Diego was still painting today, what history would he tell through his artwork? What stories would he bring to life?

Drawing inspiration from Rivera to create his own original work, Tonatiuh helps young readers understand the importance of Diego Rivera’s artwork and to realize that they too can tell stories through art.

Duncan Tonatiuh was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He is a recent graduate of Parsons the New School for Design in New York City, where he studied writing and illustration. His first book, Dear Primo, was published in spring 2010. He divides his time between New York City and Mexico.