This handprinted book in Spanish and English text offers the viewer a series of allies in the ever more threatening passage across the desert regions of the US Mexico border. This book is inspired both by the struggles of people as they are driven to take dangerous risks in this harsh environment, and also by the native cultures of the Southwest.

“I have lived on the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico off and on for several years. The tradition there of small carved animal figures, called fetishes, carry with them a suggestion of protective animal spirits. The animals were not drawn from photos or direct observation. It was my intention to visualize the animal I could see in my mind, that I could see in dreams. Like the animal fetishes these animal helpers offer their specific aid. The Desert Tortoise provides water, the Kangaroo Rat night vision. As surveillance and the border wall grow out from more populous areas it drives migrants to cross in ever more dangerous places. The heat tolerance of a Rattlesnake and the guidance of a Coyote are needed.

For all the young travelers now seeking to reach family or escape other dangers at home I offer this fetish object – a book of twelve animals in woodcut with screenprinted text and borders.”

The 12 pages inclue these animals with their powers:
El coyote La Guía / Coyote The Guide
El Perrito de las Praderas Observacíon / Prairie Dog Observation
El Puma Siglio / Mountain Lion Stealth
La Tortuga del Desierto Agua / Desert Tortoise Water
La Rata Canguro Visión Nocturna / Kangaroo Rat Night Vision
La Serpiente de Cascabel Tolerancia el Calor / Rattlesnake Heat Tolerance
El Berrendo Cuidado para los Jóvenes / Pronghorn Antelope Care for the Young
La Musaraña Excavación / Shrew Excavation
El Lagarto Cornudos Ocultación / Horned Lizard Concealment
El Pecari No Separarse / Javelina Keep Together
El Armadillo Protección / Armadillo Protection
El Buitres, El Cuervo, El Colibrí Orientación / Vulture, Raven, Hummingbird Orientation