Illustrations were great but the story did not have much to offer. ( )

Awakened from a lovely dream in which he is about to learn the secret of Montezuma's cloak from a fluttering hummingbird, Diego is at first put out. But then his friend Popo arrives with exciting news about an iguana he has discovered in the nearby forest, and the two boys set out, together with Diego's parrot, Polly, to capture it. Their clumsy efforts yield little success - the iguana escapes to a nearby pool - but then the two boys enlist the aid of Diego's father. Is having an iguana worth all the trouble, or is he better off in the forest?

Chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1939 - the other honorees that year were Andy and the Lion, Barkis, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Wee Gillis - this short story about two young Mexican boys is gorgeously illustrated with colorful paintings that reminded me a bit of Diego Rivera. With vivid colors and stylized folkloric composition, Laura Adams Armer's artwork is just beautiful - well deserving of the Caldecott Honor it won! The story itself is less engaging: there's nothing really wrong with it (although it does feel a little dated), but it just didn't appeal to me. If I were rating based on narrative alone, I'd give this two stars, but the outstanding illustrations are worth seeking out, and make this a solid three-star title. Recommended to Caldecott completists like myself, as well as to readers who enjoy muralistic paintings in the style of Diego Rivera. ( )