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T is for Tortilla welcomes the reader to the Southwest. It is an authentic no-imitations-here, regional alphabet book. From A is for adobe to Z is for Zozobra, each letter introduces the reader to a new aspect of the many rich cultures in New Mexico. Native American, Cowboy, and Spanish-American artifacts fill the pages. Detailed descriptions and illustrations show the reader a few facets of life in the Southwest. Pronunciation guide included.
Multi cultural images, including Native American, Spanish, and Anglo.
Jody Alpers is a life-long native of New Mexico who enjoys teaching children about the many cultures and customs of the Southwest.
Celeste Johnson is an artist from Roswell, NM. Her art includes murals, illustrations, and stage prop designs.
A Southwestern alphabet book for children ages 5 through 11.
Winner of the 2007 Bronze Award from Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.

Pancho was a little brown dog who did not have a home.
One day he arrived in a small village where everyone was preparing for St Anthony's feast day, especially the animals who worked very hard.
The burro had helped plow the field where the corn was grown; the hen who laid the eggs used to make the bread; and the goat who gave the milk from which the cheese for the feast was made.
Pancho set about making a feast for the animals. At the end of the day, when everyone was gathered for the Blessing of the Animals, a little girl and her family found Pancho sitting alone and adopted him.
32 pp · 7x9 · Hardcover
For young children
Winner of the 2008 Gold Award from the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.

Once upon a time, in a small, dusty Southwestern town, in the middle of a busy railyard, lived a large, black dog. His name was Loco, short for locomotive.
The railyard bustled with people who came from all over to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the weekly farmer's market.
The railyard was always gritty, and sometimes dust devils swirled through. One wild and windy evening, a huge, powerful dust devil swept through and changed the lives of everyone who loved Loco.
This is a mystical tale that takes place in a mystical place - the City Different. And the railyard depicted is the old one before its recent improvements.
Hardcover · 32 pages
For children ages 5 to 14 and all the adults who remember the old railyard in Santa Fe
Winner of the 2008 New Mexico Book Awards
Category: Young Readers Book

Prudence Fish Hornby is nine and a half and her big heart is broken. All of life looks dull and sad and hopeless. Plus she has this terrible name that does not reflect her true adventurous self, not even a bit, but who cares, why bother, there's nothing to be done about anything. Until that windy day in March when a certain Mrs. Iptweet moves into the empty house at #406 on boring old Durham Street where nothing ever happens...

Characters:
Prudence Fish Hornby, nine-and-a-half-year-old Budding Cartographer;
Gran Modesta, avid reader and lavender-lover, who has gone to her Reward;
Prudy's Dad, a motorcycle-riding, banjo-playing bear of a man;
Prudy's Aunt Belle, a Professional Recycling Cowgirl Artist;
Prudy's Mom, the Rock of the Family;
and Mrs. Iptweet, artist, gardener and Parade Specialist.

Praise for The Magical Mrs Iptweet and Me:
"Mrs. Iptweet is a refreshing eccentric in the tradition of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, who reminds us that dreaming big is always in season. Barbara Mayfield remembers what the wonder and discovery of nine years old is like." Jonathan Richards, journalist, actor, cartoonist, illustrator

182 pp · Softcover
Read-to ages 6 and 7 · Read-alone ages 8 to 12
Finalist of the 2009 New Mexico Book Awards Category: Juvenile Book - grade school to junior high

Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Lucy, a lovable chocolate Labrador retriever, moves from Wilmington, NC, to Santa Fe, NM, writing a journal of her trip. While the pup may well appreciate her journal in her doggie dotage, and those whose lives she has touched may be charmed, random readers won't have an easy connect unless they have taken the same trip or have a journal assignment. A clever idea runs amok as Lucy doggedly records the places her owners visit while she stays in the car or with friends. Twice she gets out and becomes lost but is found or returned. At last she is happy in her new home. It would be a rare child who could enjoy Lucy's musing over "Elvis's hound dog" chewing "his Blue Suede Shoes" at Graceland. Blakemore valiantly attempts to cover nine states, multiple tourist attractions, and myriad factoids. Her use of color is commendable, but the layout is way too busy for ease in reading. There are a couple of lovely, realistic renderings of Lucy, and the colorful maps are clear, but there are many better-crafted books about moving, dogs, and journaling.
Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 1-3. With engaging doggy enthusiasm, Lucy, the author's chocolate Labrador, delivers a back-seat travelogue as she travels from North Carolina to Santa Fe with her human keepers. After a meandering journey that passes through Washington D.C., Memphis ("I wonder if Elvis's hound dog chewed his blue suede shoes"), Oklahoma City, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, and other places, Lucy gets temporarily lost in the wide open country around her new home, but ultimately settles in and discovers the pleasures of chasing lizards and jackrabbits with some new canine friends. Most of Blakemore's small, broadly brushed insets feature Lucy either posing at various roadside attractions or sacked out on her back, but her journey is also traced on maps. Occasional glimpses of cowboys or covered wagons add even more atmosphere to her commentary. Children will learn a bit about Santa Fe and the westward expansion, and those who are faced with relocation may derive some comfort from seeing how Lucy's initial apprehension about leaving her old life turns into happy acceptance of something new. John Peters
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