Join us in celebrating the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s 50th anniversary through the stories, knowledge, and voices represented in 50 special books from the IPCC Library collection. This curated selection features titles for readers of all ages and interests, offering meaningful ways to explore, honor, and celebrate Pueblo culture.
Each week, for the remainder of 2026, we will spotlight one or two featured titles. The selected books are available to view in the IPCC Library Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Shaped By Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez
Written by Anna Harber Freeman & Barbara Gonzales
Albert Whitman & Company, 2021
Last week, we explored the life and work of Tewa potter Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso) through two items from the IPCC Library that offered close looks at her art and life. Today, we invite you to discover more about this renowned potter through an award-winning children’s book written by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales, Maria’s eldest great-grandchild, and illustrated by Aphelandra.
Barbara, who lived with her great-grandmother from age four through fourth grade, recalls Maria emphasizing the importance of learning. For Maria, learning included freely sharing her knowledge of clay and her experiences as an artist so that her family and community could benefit. Maria Martinez is known worldwide for the distinctive black-on-black pottery she created with her husband, Julian. Today, six generations of their descendants continue the legacy of black pottery, including Gonzales, who signs her artwork with the Tewa name Tahnmoowhe, or Sunbeam. Her great-grandmother gave her this name at birth.
Aphelandra, a descendant of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin through her father, illustrated Maria’s story using digital painting. Throughout the book, warm yellows and oranges combine with vibrant turquoise to connect scenes from Maria’s life. The illustrations also feature details inspired by Martinez’s pottery, including endpapers that evoke the black-on-black designs in her work. On the book’s cover, Aphelandra used a special UV printing process to create a reflective glazed effect that mimics the glossy patterns of Martinez’s pottery.
The book’s back matter provides additional information about Maria’s Tewa name, Povika; the Tewa people; and San Ildefonso Pueblo, as well as a selection of resources for learning more about Martinez. This beautifully illustrated picture book offers an engaging and approachable retelling of Maria Martinez’s life and introduces readers of all ages to this important Pueblo artist.
We invite you to come see us in the IPCC Library to explore this story as well as the many other wonderful books we have about Maria Martinez and her family. Come discover your next favorite read in the IPCC Library!