Guadalupe Latino Bookstore Presents a Spooky Halloween Treat
The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop staff presents The Donkey Lady/A Graphic Parable on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
This free event will begin with a dramatic reading by author Carmen Tafolla and illustrator Thelma Ortiz Muraida followed by a costume contest and Donkey Lady pizza party! An exhibit of the book’s illustrations will be on display. Guests of all ages should arrive dressed in their Halloween costumes to enter the contest.
The Donkey Lady/A Graphic Parable tells the distinctly Southside San Antonio story of the Donkey Lady who has haunted the countryside surrounding the “Donkey Lady Bridge” for generations. At a time when stories of violence against women and cultural erasure persist, The Donkey Lady offers a powerful reimagining of a local myth and folk legend as a narrative of witness, survival, and resistance. Books will be available for purchase.
This dramatic reading includes violent content and is intended for audiences aged 9 years and up, but families with children of all ages are welcome. For the younger kids, we will host a picture book read-along session in the bookstore while The Donkey Lady presentation occurs in the Community Gallery. These spaces sit side by side, and guardians can move freely between them. Following the book presentations, we will bring the groups together for the costume contest and pizza party.
Carmen Tafolla, Ph.D., former San Antonio and Texas Poet Laureate and the author of more than forty books, is the recipient of an Américas Award, three Tomás Rivera Book Awards, and eight International Latino Book Awards. Her work centers on Mexican American culture, history and personal empowerment.
Thelma Ortiz Muraida is an accomplished artist and graphic designer whose work spans children’s books, poetry collections, and visual storytelling. She has collaborated with Dr. Tafolla on multiple titles, among them Tamales, Comadres and the Meaning of Civilization, bringing layered, expressive imagery to culturally rooted narratives.
Aztlan Libre Press is an independent publishing company based out of Yanawana/San Antonio, Texas that is dedicated to the publication, promotion and free expression of XicanX literature and art. Established in 2009 by Juan Tejeda and Anisa Onofre.
WHO: Carmen Tafolla and Thelma Ortiz Muraida
WHAT: The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop presents The Donkey Lady/A Graphic Parable, a dramatic reading, costume contest, and pizza party, open to guests of all ages.
WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Guadalupe Latino Bookstore
1300 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX 78207
DETAILS:
- Free and open to the public
- Dramatic reading (ages 9+), picture book read-along (ages 0-9), and costume contest and parade (all ages)
- Free pizza and prizes
About the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore:
In the heart of San Antonio’s Westside, the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore stands as a testament to resilience and pride. Operated by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, this unique establishment is more than just a bookstore, it’s a sanctuary where stories of the Latino experience come alive. As the only Latino-focused bookstore in Texas, it offers a curated selection of works by Latino authors, reflecting the rich tapestry of the community’s history, art, and voices. From children’s books to scholarly texts, the shelves are filled with narratives that resonate deeply with our heritage.
Understanding the challenges faced by our community, the bookstore provides a 25% discount to Westside residents, encouraging youth to engage with literature that mirrors their own experiences and aspirations. Housed in the historic Progreso Pharmacy Building, the bookstore is part of a vibrant cultural hub that includes theaters and outdoor spaces, fostering a dynamic environment for artistic expression and community gatherings. In a neighborhood confronting issues like poverty and systemic disparities, the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore shines as a beacon of hope, education, and cultural affirmation.
Visit the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore at 1300 Guadalupe Street, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Contact us at: 210-271-3151, extension 250.
Photos courtesy Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
