Booklist calls XOLO by Donna Barba Higuera “an impressive, artistic approach to a creation tale as well as the origin of the great loyalty of dogs” in starred review

★ XOLO by Donna Barba Higuera, illus. by Mariana Ruiz Johnson.

Creation myths of Mesoamerican cultures speak highly of the god Quetzalcoatl and his great adventures to make the earth hospitable to humans, with his dog-headed brother, Xolotl (nicknamed Xolo), an afterthought, if he's mentioned at all. Newbery Medal winner Higuera, inspired by her often scared but relatively brave family dog, Filson, decided to explore Xolotl’s story and reimagine him as an unsung hero. With the help of Johnson’s emotionally expressive illustrations, inspired by the 2-D profile style featured in the full color restoration of the Codex Borgia, Higuera’s reinterpretation comes to life. Hatch shading adds visual depth to the tale spanning six parts, following both the physical and emotional journey from a timid Xolotl bullied by the other gods to a confident yet unknown hero to humankind, from whom man’s best friend descended. The story opens with the gods descending to earth when it stopped spinning, claiming tasks and elements to bring life back to the planet, before honing in on Xolo’s choice of lightning and his initial struggles with his mom and twin brother. Conflict arises with the god Mictlantecuhtli, but Xolo proves dedicated to humans after initially failing to contribute to their return to earth, and he quietly helps his brother shine as the hero by retrieving humanity’s bones and shepherding souls through the underworld. An impressive, artistic approach to a creation tale as well as the origin of the great loyalty of dogs.

—Booklist