Tay naja nitajtaketzki achtu tik Nawat / ‌Mis primeras palabras en nahuat / My First Words in Nahuat‌ is San Francisco Mission District poet and childrens’ book writer Jorge Argueta’s latest and very personal book, adding to nearly two dozen earlier works for children and readers of poetry.

Jorge grew up in Santo Domingo de Guzmán El Salvador, where his grandmother, an indigenous healer, told him stories from his indigenous heritage and their belief in a human-nature connection, instilling in him great respect for the environment and appreciation for oral tradition. He spent time in the city helping his parents run a small restaurant as well as in the countryside, helping his grandparents tend to their farm, but left El Salvador when he was 19 years old due to the ongoing Salvadoran Civil War, and arrived in San Francisco in the 1980s. His work reflects the Latino experience and heritage; he also writes about the Nahuat Pipil and their deep appreciation and respect for nature.

He has received numerous awards for his work, including:

• 2001 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, A Movie In My Pillow
• 2002 Independent Publisher Book Awards Multicultural Fiction Juvenile/Young Adult – Winner, A Movie In My Pillow^[5]
• 2002 Skipping Stones Honor Award for Multicultural Literature, A Movie In My Pillow^[6]
• 2003 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, Xochitl and the Flowers/Xochitl, la niña de las flores^[7]
• 2004 Independent Publisher Book Award Multicultural Fiction Juvenile/Young Adult – Finalist, Xochitl and the Flowers/Xochitl, la niña de las flores^[8]
• 2005 NAPPA Gold Award – Preschool/Kindergarten, Moony Luna/Luna, Lunita, Lunera^[7]
• 2006 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, Talking With Mother Earth
• 2006 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, La fiesta de las tortillas / La Fiesta de Las Tortillas
• 2007-2008 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, Alfredito Flies Home
• 2010 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, Sopa de frijoles / Bean Soup
• 2011 Northern California Book Award – Finalist, Arroz con leche: Un poema para cocinar/Rice Pudding: A Cooking Poem
• 2016 Américas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature – Commendation, Salsa: Un poema para cocinar / A Cooking Poem
• 2017 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds