The Adventures of Topi and Topo
Two Purple Lizards
A New Mexico Historical Fiction Story of
Challenges, Adventures, Hope, and Heroes
Bilingual edition
This is a children's historical fiction taken from the diaspora and epic journey of the Topiro Native American people who first lived in the Salinas Pueblos Mission of Abó New Mexico. It is here that their journey begins and where the Spanish first encountered them in 1581. Drought, famine and conflicts led to the complete abandonment of their ancestral village. They traveled west where they were integrated into other native pueblos along the Rio Grande River and the historic Hispanic and Genizaro village of Tome.
"Join Topi and Topo, two inseparable friends, on a journey through a world where the real and the magical intertwine. These brave explorers embark on a quest to unravel the secrets of their land, confronting age-old betrayals and discovering the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. Through their adventures, children will learn about the importance of customs and traditions, and discover how stories can be a powerful tool for learning. With a magical design that comes to life on every page, this book will not only entertain but also inspire young readers to value their heritage and believe in the power of imagination."
Oscar Rodríguez García
Coordinator Instituto Cervantes
"I really liked the story of Topi and Topo. The elders of my village of Jemez often told us stories like this one when I was young. This wonderful book gives me hope that our native history and culture will be passed onto our pueblo Indian youth and families."
Mary Sábado
Traditional potter and artist
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
"Dr. Sanchez has written a very clever, fun and compelling bilingual historical fiction that takes the young reader through a fantastic journey that two brave purple lizards undergo to save their native village. I would encourage teachers and all young students to read this book to get a true flavor of the struggle, values and hopes found in our southwest Hispanic and Native Indian history and culture."
Greta Aguilar
Inclusion Support Coach
Los Lunas, New Mexico schools
Antonio Sánchez y Chávez, Ph.D. EXCMO
Antonio resides in the village of Tomé, New Mexico, in the same adobe home his family has lived in for over 250 years. He is proud of his proven New Mexican Sephardic ancestry and his cultural and familial ties to Tomé. A respected academic, anthropologist, and author, he served as faculty at the University of Washington, where he taught Chicano Studies, and was also a member of the faculty at Central Washington University.
He is a lifelong advocate for the educational advancement of Hispanics and received the Washington State Jefferson Award for his historical writings. He was knighted and awarded the title EXCMO by the King of Spain for his research on early Spanish explorers and for the historical, cultural, and economic development programs he created in collaboration with Spanish Consul Don Luis Fernando Esteban.
He was also awarded the Medal of Merit by the President of Peru. His wife, Carolina Lucero, is from Milagro, New Mexico, and together with their daughter Marisol Zia, they have worked to revive the traditional New Mexican Spanish colonial folk art of straw appliqué.
