This is an original way to tell the story of the successive periods in Mexican history, the early Mayans, the Aztecs, the Spanish conquerors, the Revolution, modern Mexico, and to give a glimpse at least of some of the customs and incidents characteristic of each period. A modern Mexican lad, enamoured of the popular play-with the jumping beans -- is carried off in his dream to Mexico of the past, and with the help of the jumping beans goes from one period to the next in time and space. Good text, decorative illustrations which to my way of thinking, somewhat cheapen the story.