Gift of the Yucatan: A Short History
Author: Trudy Sauri
Your Culture Gifts
P O Box 1245
Ellicott City, MD 21043
978-0979763717. 2008, 66 pages
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake

Informative, Educational, and Entertaining

“Gift of the Yucatan: A Short History” by Trudy Sauri is an important source for the study of Maya history and culture. This concise history is fascinating and provides suggested resources for further study, a complete time line, a listing of archaeological sites of ancient cities, exquisite colored pictures, maps, illustrations, and charts which add to the understanding and appreciation of the narrative.

Although featured as children’s literature, the book is an excellent summary of the Maya people and of the Yucatan. I wish I had read it prior to my own visit to the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The “Gift of the Yucatan” series has created a new interest and curiosity for me to personally delve deeper into the ancient culture of the Maya, the Aztec, and the Toltec.

The book is thoroughly researched. Sauri’s narrative is well developed and logically organized both topically and sequentially. The photos are clear and representative of the culture, the topography, the archaeological finds, and the architecture of the Maya. I highly recommend the book for educational purposes, self study, and for the pure enjoyment of reading.

Gift of Yucatan: Nouns A – Z
Author: Trudy Sauri
Your Culture Gifts
P O Box 1245
Ellicott City, MD 21043
978—979763731, 2008, 62 pages
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake


A Glimpse into the Culture and Language of Yucatan, Mexico

In “Gift of Yucatan: Nouns A – Z” Trudy Sauri provides a pictorial reference guide to help the reader visualize images with both English and Spanish Words. These colorful pictures allow the reader of English ort Spanish to retain the language. The book is designed to acquaint the reader with the culture-specific words which are beautifully pictured throughout the book.

I was amazed at the quality of the photos. The fruits and vegetables looked so real and temptingly delicious my mouth watered for a taste of the
baya (berry) or the dulce de calabaza (sugared pumpkin candy). The brilliant rojo, amarillo, azul, and verde made it easy to learn red, yellow, blue, and green for the English reader or the reverse for the Spanish reader.

Under the letter “W” for Words (Palabras) Trudy included a list of English words side by side in columns with the equivalent Spanish and Yucatec meanings. Also included are a Spanish/English dictionary and a reverse English/Spanish. These two comprehensive dictionaries are also provided sound cues to help with pronunciations.

The book is ideal for family fun while learning Spanish or English as well as being an excellent educational tool for individual or classroom use. The spectacular pictures help make the learning experience memorable.

“Gift of the Yucatan” is an outstanding study for language and culture.