Born in Mexico City in 1917, Amalia Hernández loved traditional Mexican folk dancing from the first time she saw it as a child in a public square. She studied ballet as a girl, and then modern dance as she got older, but it was audience reception to a ballet she choreographed based on a tradition danza that convinced her to make these traditional dances the focus of her work. She traveled around Mexico to learn regional dances and read about the history behind them before creating interpretations for El Ballet Folklórico de Mexico, the company she founded. Ami died in 2000 but El Ballet Folklórico de Mexico continues, and has also inspired countless other groups. This lively account is paired with Tonatiuh’s distinctive, Mixtec-inspired illustrations. An author’s note discusses struggles Amalia faced, from financing her company to criticism of appropriation and misrepresentation. A glossary, bibliography, and index conclude this energizing work. (Ages 6-9)