The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe by Pat Mora

 

CITATION: Mora, P. (2012). The beautiful lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe (S. Johnson & L. Fancher, Illus.). Alfred A. Knopf. 

CHARACTERS: The main characters of The Beautiful Lady are Rose, Terry, and their grandma Lupita. Grandma Lupita tells Rose and Terry the story of Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Juan Diego is portrayed as a dignified young man who is humble, faithful, and determined. He is not seen as a typical Mexican stereotype.  

The entire story is focused on the Mexican Catholic tradition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Lupita shares the traditions and values related to Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

The characters within the book are illustrated respectfully and accurately depict traditional Mexican features. The character’s brown skin is highlighted through much of the book as being beautiful. Juan Diego shows spiritual leadership by working with the bishop to show proof of the Lady. While Lupita and the girls’ socioeconomic status is not discussed in the book, it is mentioned that Juan Diego is a poor common man. This is the primary reason why he worries that the bishop will not trust him when asking to build a church for the Lady.  

There is not a distinct representation of “good” and “bad”. The Lady is presented as being “good” or a savior, as well as showing compassion for those who are “lesser”. The bishop shows doubt when asking for Juan Diego to show a sign of the Lady.  

There is not much interaction between the characters in the book with characters of other cultures. 


SETTING: The story of the Lady is set in Mexico in 1531. The details of the setting are present in the illustrations like clothing, architecture, and the presence of the Catholic Church. The setting is reflective of rural Mexico and includes natural landscapes like hills and the simple village life. The setting of the book emphasizes the theme of faith and humility among characters.   


CULTURAL VALUES: The story is deeply rooted in Mexican Catholic cultural traditions that surround Our Lady of Guadalupe. Meaningful symbols like the tilma, roses, and images of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

The story remains consistent with Mexican Catholic cultural beliefs and traditions. The book opens during the month of December, which is the month of the holiday that honors Our Lady of Guadalupe. The reader gets a glimpse at the cultural practices that are centered around the Lady.  

The writing features Spanish names, which helps to reinforce the authenticity of the culture. In the origin story the characters are seen as wearing traditional dress and garments like Juan Diego’s tilma. The entire story emphasizes the importance of faith and spirituality in the Mexican culture. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a leading female spiritual figure in the Mexican culture. 

The book highlights a culturally significant story that is underrepresented in mainstream media. While the characters don’t interact with others of different cultures, it does encourage an appreciation for religious diversity.   


OVERALL QUALITY: The book encourages readers to reflect on cultural identity and faith. It emphasizes the importance of faith in most cultures. It also can prompt discussions among students about the importance of belief, trust, and listening to your inner voice. 

Each page of the book includes a detailed and engaging picture that pairs well with the story written. The language used throughout the story makes it accessible to all readers, without watering down the content of it.  

The illustrations authentically represent Indigenous Mexican features, clothing, and environment. The use of colors and artistic style reflect Mexican traditions. The illustrations help to enhance the understanding of cultural and religious elements. 


REVIEWS AND AWARDS:

  • Best Children’s Fiction Picture Book, International Latino Book Award 2013 

  • School Library Journal: “A respectful balance of religion, history, and faith that begins with a child’s questioning voice.” 

  • Booklist: “Mora approaches the story without tricks, using simple, delicate language, while Johnson and Fancher employ aged-looking earth-toned paintings and surround them with patterned borders when depicting the past.” 

CONNECTIONS: 

  • After reading this book students can complete a personal writing prompt about a time they believed in something very strongly and others didn’t. 

  • Students can explore other holidays in the Mexican culture by reading Abuelita’s Gift: a Dia de Muertos Story by Mariana Rio Ramirez. 

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