Author Description

A Story of Benito Juárez and Cinco de Mayo is a biography of the Zapotec Indian who became the President of Mexico and lead his country in a war for independence. Benito Juárez, a Zapotec Indian, was born and raised in extreme poverty. With hard work, determination and love for his country, he became the president of Mexico. With the help of the people, who suffered for centuries as a European colony, Juárez defeated the French on the fifth day of May. Today, that day is celebrated as the enduring symbol of Mexican independence and pride. Cinco de Mayo is a day of celebration in Mexico as it commemorates the Mexican army’s unpredicted victory over the French soldiers in the Battle of Puebla that occurred on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo means “Fifth of May” in Spanish. Argentina Palacios is a published author and a translator of several children’s books. Some of her published credits include Viva México!: A Story of Benito Juárez and Cinco de Mayo (Stories of America), Henry Huggins (Spanish Edition) and Cuando Hay Fuego. Howard Berelson is a published illustrator of several children’s books. Some of his published credits include Viva México!: A Story of Benito Juárez and Cinco de Mayo (Stories of America), Natural Foods (A Concise Guide) and Indoor Gardening (First Books). Alex Haley, as General Editor, wrote the introduction.