Up and Down the Andes

A Peruvian Festival Tale
ISBN978-1-84686-203-8

By Laurie Krebs, Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty

Barefoot Books, Cambridge, MA (March, 2008)

NOTE:

Up and Down the Andes has received the following awards.

  • Smithsonian Magazine - Notable book for children, 2008

  • Nomination - Capital Choice selection, 2008

  • Reading Is Fundamental - 2011-2012 Macy's Multicultural Collection of Children's Literature

Book description:

"Board a bus for a long and bumpy ride, hop aboard a boat across Lake Titicaca's waters, and guide a mule past Machu Picchu's ancient site as you accompany the young narrator of this story up and down the amazing Andes Mountains in Peru, to the city of Cusco where a wonderful festival is underway."

The Andes soar to meet the sky.
They plunge to meet the sea.
And up and down the mountain slopes
Live children just like me,
"Krebs's (We All Went on Safari) rhyming couplets build anticipation as each of six young travelers uses different means of transport (bus, pack animal, etc.) to arrive at the ancient Incan festival of  Inti Raymi, honoring the Sun God.... Fronty's (One City, Two Brothers) paintings, in a warm, vibrant palette, are contemporary in their composition but recall folk art in their flat planes and use of patterns." Publishers Weekly
"...Our narrator introduces us to a variety of youngsters: Jose boarding a bus in Lima, Louisa disembarking on Lake Titicaca, Riccardo walking his mule from Machu Picchu, Consuela riding the Arequippa train, and Fidel and Tia in a truck from Puno. Each is bringing a traditional costume or item to the June festival...." Ken and Sylvia Marantz, Children's Literature
They change into their costumes and process out to the fort.
The Sun King rises from his throne and stands before the court.
Then speaking to the solemn crowd, he offers thanks and praise
in honor of the Sun God, as was done in ancient days.
"The simple rhyming text and the bright, clear, beautiful unframed acrylic paintings express a strong sense of the rich traditions that are still part of contemporary life, from the clothes and food at the party to the images of the Sun God." Hazel Rochman, Booklist
"Centuries old, this festival is an important celebration of the Peruvian people....Backmatter informs the reader not only of the festival but of the history of Peru, the Andes Mountains, and Machu Picchu. This is a gorgeous and, I think, important book." Joan Kindig, Ph.D. Nomination from Capital Choices

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