Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Following a contextualizing introduction from David Bowles, Liniers (Wildflowers) retells a trio of lightly scary Latin American folktales via this seriocomic graphic novel. In the book's frame story, two bored, wide-awake siblings tell each other frightening tales from their shared bunk bed. The first, "The Mermaid and the Pink Dolphin," finds beauty and danger compelling both a ship's captain who travels the Amazon River and the Iara, or river mermaid, who encounters him. The second story, "The Owl of Doom," brings a child-savvy twist to the Mexican legend of a seven-foot witch-owl who "flies around or sits on a perch looking for people to kill!" And in "The Evil Light," two gauchos on horseback in South America are terrorized by a mysterious light that they perceive as the soul-stealing demon Mandinga. In the artist's well-known art style, delicate ink and watercolor scenes accompany humorous dialogue and text ("The monkey had very little maritime experience"), showcasing the enduring power of folktales and whetting readers' appetites for further tellings. Extensive back matter offers more about the stories' backgrounds. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 7--9. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up--Fans of spooky tales will enjoy this graphic novel that features three frightful folk tales, including a shape-shifting mermaid, death-bringing witch owl, and a menacing light. Each tale is crafted from Indigenous traditions of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. They are brought to life using a whimsical cartoon style that will engage and encourage children to learn about these rich and dynamic folk tales. Sections detailing each legend--the Iara, La Lechuza, and La Luz Mala--feature plenty of cultural and historical details. The author was spurred to create this narrative nonfiction graphic novel because of the lack of materials focusing on Mexican American lore. VERDICT A good graphic novel for young people looking to learn about history and culture in an accessible form.--Meaghan Nichols
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
This graphic novel from cartoonist Liniers weaves together a trio of Latin American folktales full of thrills and chills. Unable to sleep, a sister asks her brother, "Can you tell me a story? A SCARY one." The brother obliges, sharing two gripping tales, while his sister returns the favor with the third and final tale, a nice bookend that brings the night to its unsettling end. In "The Mermaid and the Pink Dolphin," Capitão Gabriel encounters a mermaid known as the Iara while sailing the Amazon River with only his pet monkey. Despite warnings from old sailors back on land, Capitão Gabriel cannot resist the mermaid's watery allure. In "The Owl of Doom," the ominous La Lechuza--a witch-owl who foretells death--terrorizes a town, leading to a hilarious solution to the townspeople's woes. And in "The Evil Light," two gauchos on the pampas trade rumors of a demonic force that searches the plains for souls to devour. Interjections from the siblings add an appealing dose of humor, accentuated by Liniers' artwork, full of intricate linework and muted colors. An introduction from author and scholar David Bowles contextualizes these folktales within the broader historical arc of European colonization and the systematic erasure of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican culture, tracing modern retellings to their roots in Indigenous traditions and storytelling. An appendix provides further background info on each story. Spine-tingling, enlightening, and fun. (map, bibliography) (Graphic anthology. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
