Daughter of the Light-footed People by Belen Medina (review)

Reviewed by: Daughter of the Light-footed People by Belen Medina Kate Quealy-Gainer Medina, Belen Daughter of the Light-footed People; illus. by Natalia Rojas Castro. Atheneum, 2024 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781665931427 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781665931434 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad 5-9 yrs Wearing "well-worn huaraches cut from rubber tires," the subject of this picture book biography begins a sixty-mile race in the canyons of Mexico. As a daughter of the Rarámuri, "the light-footed people," Lorena Ramírez's strength, patience, and determination have been honed by herding cows and goats, walking hours to water, and a deep need to make her family and community proud of her and their culture. The book's main narrative follows Lorena on one of her races, but the nonspecific nature of the text creates some confusion over the stakes and triumph of Lorena's running. A scene in which Lorena runs across a global map is at odds with the overall feel that this is a singular race, and the back matter provides little clarity, listing a different distance for the race Lorena won in 2017. Dynamic digital art does hold viewers' attention, with a motif of birds flying through the pages to match Lorena's steady, determined tread. Muted, earthy tones of the landscape background the bolder, more vibrant hues of the clothing worn by Lorena and the other runners. An author's note discusses the endurance runners of the Rarámuri as well as their culture and farming.