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Texas State University has announced the three recipients of the 2026 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, honoring works that explore culture, identity, history, and connections to community and the land.
The 2026 honorees include two works for younger readers and one for older readers.
Younger readers
Of the Sun
Of the Sun, written by Xelena González and illustrated by Emily Kewageshig, offers Indigenous children words of hope and celebrates their connection to the land. The artwork reflects the cultures of Indigenous nations and emphasizes the relationship between people and the natural world.
Sundust
Sundust by Zeke Peña follows two siblings who venture into a fantastical desert landscape, where they discover connections among the sun, the desert, and its people. Peña is a Xicano storyteller and artist from El Paso and a recipient of Ezra Jack Keats and Pura Belpré Illustration Honors.
Rosa by Any Other Name