A whimsical but somewhat vague story of natural and cultural appreciation.
In Aguirre-Magaña’s book for young readers, a young Mexican girl witnesses the beauty of a butterfly migration as danger lurks nearby.
Ten-year-old Xóchitl lives with her family in Michoacán, Mexico, near the off-limits, somewhat mystical “Forbidden Forest,” a sanctuary for many animals, including monarch butterflies. When the migrating butterflies arrive, Xóchitl revels in their beauty and notices one weakened from the journey. Xóchitl remembers she can earn a wish from the goddess Xóchitlquetzal by helping the butterfly, so she helps it take nectar from plants and eventually follows it deep into the forest to feed. But having trespassed, Xóchitl awakens “El Cucuy,” “a hunchbacked boogeyman with red beady eyes” who kidnaps naughty children. Xóchitl quickly runs away as El Cucuy chases her through the forest, only stopping when Xóchitl sings her butterfly song and lulls him to sleep. Eventually, Xóchitl escapes and returns to her home, grateful for Xóchitlquetzal’s protection, and continues to observe and sing to the butterflies from afar. While the text is mostly in English, the song Xóchitl sings to the butterflies and El Cucuy has both an English and Spanish version, though they aren’t always direct translations. Aguirre-Magaña uses the Nahuatl word for butterfly (“papalotl”) as well as Xóchitl’s name and the presence of Xóchitlquetzal, the Aztec goddess of beauty, flora, and fertility, to indicate the story’s indigenous Mexican inspiration. There are some fun, challenging words for young readers, like “ornery,” “ghastly,” and “imp.” With some exceptions, such as the monstrous El Cucuy and the images of the butterflies arriving like a “spot inched forward, turning into a ribbon, a ribbon with strands of hundreds of monarchs flying above the treetops,” the prose lacks description, so it’s unclear what Xóchitl or the forest look like; the text seems better suited to complement a children’s picture book than to function on its own.
A whimsical but somewhat vague story of natural and cultural appreciation.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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