Marcos: A Mountain Boy of Mexico (1937) by Melicent Humanson Lee, illustrated by Berta and Elmer Hader, is a charming children’s book that blends cultural storytelling with vivid Depression-era artwork. The story follows Marcos, an Indigenous Mexican boy from the Sierra Madre, as he navigates the challenges of rural life—tending goats, bartering at markets, and dreaming of adventure beyond his village.
The Haders’ caldecott Medal-winning artistry (they later won for The Big Snow) brings Marcos’ world to life with warm watercolors and intricate details of Mexican landscapes, traditional dress, and folk motifs. Their illustrations—whimsical yet respectful—avoid the exoticism common in early 20th-century children’s books, instead emphasizing Marcos’ resourcefulness and curiosity.
Though reflective of its time (with some now-dated perspectives), the book remains a lovely artifact of cross-cultural storytelling.
Perfect for collectors of vintage illustrated books or fans of Kate Seredy’s The Good Master.
![A.A. Milne - When We Were Very Young 1924. First edition [1]](https://www.nocloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/aam-young1-300x400.jpg)
