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iffer's review
2.0
3 stars if you live in New Mexico and are able to smile at the references to NM locations throughout the book.
How Hollyhocks Came to New Mexico is a fine fable of how the common, bright New Mexico flower appeared. For the most part, I like the art, except that I always find human faces a little creepy in this style of art, but that's just me. I also like how the book is bilingual (English and Spanish). However, the story revolves around how the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) accidentally wound up in New Mexico while avoiding King Herod's slaughter of children. Although I like the idea of mixing of local New Mexico culture and landscapes with and Christianity, since the interplay of these things has shaped the history and personality of New Mexico (including illustrator Nicolas Otero's art), I think that many people may be off-put by the religious overtones (both those who aren't religious Christians, and those who are very traditional Christians).
How Hollyhocks Came to New Mexico is a fine fable of how the common, bright New Mexico flower appeared. For the most part, I like the art, except that I always find human faces a little creepy in this style of art, but that's just me. I also like how the book is bilingual (English and Spanish). However, the story revolves around how the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) accidentally wound up in New Mexico while avoiding King Herod's slaughter of children. Although I like the idea of mixing of local New Mexico culture and landscapes with and Christianity, since the interplay of these things has shaped the history and personality of New Mexico (including illustrator Nicolas Otero's art), I think that many people may be off-put by the religious overtones (both those who aren't religious Christians, and those who are very traditional Christians).
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