Jovita dreamed of wearing pants like her brothers, Ramón and Luciano.
She hated the way the big skirts that Abuela made her wear tangled around her legs as she scaled the tallest mesquite tree in Rancho Palos Blancos. She wanted to ride her horse Morongo and feel the wind curl her face into a smile.
When her father and brothers joined the Cristeros War to fight for the right to practice religion freely, she wanted to help. Though she wasn’t allowed to fight, that didn’t stop her from learning the terrain and observing how her father strategized. Then tragedy struck, compelling Jovita to cut her hair, put on pants, and continue the fight. Disguised as a man, she commanded a battalion who followed her without question.
Jovita Wore Pants is the story of a trailblazing revolutionary, passionately told by Amricas Award winner, Aida Salazar, and illustrated by Eisner Award honoree Molly Mendoza.
“More about Jovita,” with photographs. Author’s note. Illustrator’s note. Full-color illustrations were created using sumi ink and composed digitally in Procreate using digital brushes and color.
This 14 book collections offers beginning readers fascinating biographies and compelling personal stories that provide a view into history or perspective on the issues of our times.