An exuberant, delightful underdog’s tale.
Crafty Chavo outsmarts the other team in an otherworldly game of capture the flag.
A group of children gathers in the park as evening falls. The group varies in age and race, and each child holds a flashlight in hand. The team leaders shake hands; now the team selection can begin. One brown-haired, olive-skinned boy, Chavo, can’t wait to be picked, barely containing his glee. As the smallest one in the group, Chavo is chosen last, but he’s just as happy anyway. Each leader hoists their team’s flag, flashlights flick on, and the game begins. Suddenly, the park transforms into a purple, pink, and blue sci-fi landscape, complete with two moons and dangerous wildlife. Both groups huddle up and plot away, and Chavo must go into the alien jungle to hide his team’s flag. But when his entire team rushes into a trap, Chavo finds himself all alone. How will he win the game? Similar to earlier series entries Belinda the Unbeatable and Andrew the Seeker (both 2017), Nordling and Silva’s latest collaboration combines play and imagination in one captivating, clever mishmash of fun. Featuring crisp, clean, and vibrant panels, humorous close-ups, and swift transitions, this wordless graphic novel overflows with delight, anchored by a likable, cunning protagonist. Chavo’s victory is never in doubt, but it’s still great to see the littlest player pull it off against the odds.
An exuberant, delightful underdog’s tale. (Graphic adventure. 5-9)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5415-1046-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look...
Winning actually isn’t everything, as jazz-happy Rooster learns when he goes up against the legendary likes of Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald at the barnyard talent show.
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look good—particularly after his “ ‘Hen from Ipanema’ [makes] / the barnyard chickies swoon.”—but in the end the competition is just too stiff. No matter: A compliment from cool Mules and the conviction that he still has the world’s best band soon puts the strut back in his stride. Alexander’s versifying isn’t always in tune (“So, he went to see his cousin, / a pianist of great fame…”), and despite his moniker Rooster plays an electric bass in Bower’s canted country scenes. Children are unlikely to get most of the jokes liberally sprinkled through the text, of course, so the adults sharing it with them should be ready to consult the backmatter, which consists of closing notes on jazz’s instruments, history and best-known musicians.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58536-688-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
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