Valeria y su nahuala / Valeria and Her Nahual

Valeria learns at school about the differences between wild and domestic animals. She is sad that she doesn’t have a pet to bring for “Show and Tell.” She begs her mother for one—a dog, a cat, a rabbit—but Mamá says pets need lots of care. The girl’s parents work so much that they can’t take care of an animal.

Disappointed, the girl is crying in her room when a strong wind suddenly blows through and a giant eagle with brightly colored feathers and huge talons appears! Valeria is surprised to learn that she has a nahual, a special creature that accompanies one person for his or her entire life. Valeria’s eagle has watched over her since she was born and even followed her from Mexico to the United States.

Taking a magical journey to her hometown on the eagle’s back, Valeria plays with her cousins and eats a bowl of her beloved grandmother’s delicious pozole. Later, when it’s her turn for “Show and Tell,” her classmates are enthralled by the girl’s special protector—as young readers will be too. With brightly colored illustrations by Carmen Lop, this bilingual picture book will pique children’s imaginations and make them wish for their very own nahual!