My mother is a photographer. I have practiced photography more as a hobby than anything else since I was a kid (still reluctant to call myself a photographer). My 4 year old already has very clear desires on becoming a photographer (and clear signs of talent too). My kids are also first generation US citizens with immigrant parents, and are indigenous Mexican from their father’s side, so I have naturally been gravitating towards reading books that will expand my own personal horizons, and that will also allow my kids to understand and embrace their heritage too. So when I saw that Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña had created a graphic novel based on the life of Graciela Iturbide I immediately ordered a copy from our local bookstore!

I’m so glad I purchased this book - it’s beautifully written and illustrated, a combination of words that are poetry, gorgeously drawn images, and actual photos taken by Graciela Iturbide. The books provides an overview of her life, how she became a photographer, and what pushed her to become the amazing photographer that she is. I love how the narrative doesn’t follow Graciela Iturbide’s life chronologically, but however picks certain events and times and provides more detail about her life, her focus, and her subjects. I also love how the author pushes us to think about our own view of the world around us, and on our own heritages. I am a huge believer in letting words and images speak for themselves, letting them ruminate in my mind for a while before giving them my own interpretation, and this book gives us all a chance to do that.

Graciela Iturbide is so inspiring, and I have fallen in love with her photography. I love how Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña have created a beautiful graphic biography that allows us to see life through the photographer’s lens while still leaving so much to the imagination. My kids may still be a little young to fully grasp all of the content in the book, but they have enjoyed discovering it with me.

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