Synopses & Reviews
Meet Lorena Ramírez, an Indigenous Rarámuri athlete from Mexico who is internationally known for winning ultramarathons in her traditional skirts and rubber sandals, in this nonfiction picture book.
From the copper canyons of Mexico, her swift footsteps echo. Clip clap, clip clap.
Experience a sixty-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramírez. She runs in the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, "the light-footed people," to show that her people and their way of life are alive and thriving — outpacing runners in modern, high-tech gear and capturing the world's attention. Lorena's career as an athlete is an inspiring real-life example of the power of perseverance that will encourage young readers to follow their own dreams.
Review
"Fluidly rendered digital illustrations showcase stunning desert colors with a bold palette....It's a narrative that celebrates Ramírez's determination, legacy, and grit." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
"Medina's rhythmic text is punctuated with onomatopoeia….Castro's richly colored digital images depict the flora and fauna of the desert terrain and feature floral motifs that surround Ramírez like a cloud of energy." Horn Book Magazine (Starred Review)
Review
"This is a striking introduction to ¬ultramarathon runner, Lorena Ramírez....An exceptional addition to all collections." School Library Journal (Starred Review)
About the Author
Belen Medina, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, was born and raised in California's Central Valley. She spent her childhood summers in Mexico with her grandparents and has been navigating two cultures her entire life. Still a Californian at heart, she now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Daughter of the Light-Footed People is her debut picture book.
Natalia Rojas Castro is an illustrator based in Bogotá, Colombia. Daughter of the Light-Footed People is her debut picture book.