BENEATH THE STONE

In appealing, handsomely composed color photos and a brief but informatative text, a portrait of Leodegario Vicente Golan Ruiz (``Leo'') and his large family, whose tapetes (rugs or hangings) are ``famous throughout Mexico.'' At six, Leo is already a weaver of ``small tapetes in simple patterns.'' Wolf details his typical day (including school), tells how his family celebrates ``The Days of the Dead'' and other holidays, and depicts visits to the ancient capital of the Zapotecs (their ``impressive culture'' was one of several that were flourishing when the Spaniards arrived in A.D. 1519) and to a market (Leo's work sells quickly, but the low price two of his mother's tapetes bring is matter of concern to these hardworking people). An attractive portrayal showing the new along with the old and forthright about the Ruiz family's poverty as well as their strong ties to their culture and one another. Map; pronunciation guide; note about the Zapotecs. (Nonfiction. 5-9)