José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913) and Manuel Manilla (c. 1830–1895) were the foremost exponents of Mexican printmaking and engraving for the penny press. Over a period of decades they produced thousands of prints and illustrations of all different kinds, including engravings for one hundred and eighty children’s books and stories.

This volume offers a representative sampling of the best work in this area of these two pioneers in the art of illustrating Mexican children’s books. It is divided into brief chapters that gather and classify the stories according to their protagonists: kings, princes, genies, and fairies; courageous children; infernal beings and the underworld; animal fables; and historical and legendary figures.