TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD 2019-20 MASTER LIST
WINNER 2018 AESOP PRIZE (AMERICAN FOLKLORE SOCIETY)
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' CHOICE
NAMED TO KIRKUS' REVIEWS BEST BOOKS OF 2018
NPR 2018 GREAT READS
"A trio of Latin American folktales are given a makeover in the children's-book debut of one of the brothers behind famed graphic-novel series Love and Rockets...In his six-panel pages, Hernandez flexes his considerable storytelling skills, his deceptively simple art conveying all the detail, nuance, and expression of character each story needs...In addition to the tales themselves, the book opens with an on-point essay by author F. Isabel Campoy putting the mix of Spanish and Native American influences in context...María E. Santana's simultaneously publishing Spanish-language translation is identical in look but far from dry, flawlessly employing its own language quirks. Rousing tales, spirited artwork, and rich backmatter ensure that this slim graphic novel for kids becomes a rich resource for all caregivers, not just those of Latinx children." - Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW
"These delightfully rendered stories should easily find a home in the folktale/fairy-tale section of any library." - School Library Journal
"This beautifully designed collection, with amiable art in lovely full color, is perfect for bedtime read-aloud or a lesson on traditional folktales." - Booklist
"With its eye-catching design, appealing cover, and its spirited stories, you may have to pry this entertaining and informative book from the hands of children." - Julie Danielson's "Four Favorites" on the Kirkus blog
"It’s a perfect work for adults who grew up on Love and Rockets to share with their children, and it’s an equally perfect introduction to the rich folklore immediately to the south of the U.S." - Good Comics for Kids on the SLJ Blog
"One of the best folktale and fairy tale-based comics I've seen...The Dragon Slayer is a sweet, short burst of smart, loving comics, and comes highly recommended." - Kinder Comics
"I absolutely love this introduction to Latin American folktales, and can only hope there’s a volume 2 somewhere down the line. This is such a great addition to folk and fairy tale collections and diverse, culturally rich collections." - Mom Read It
"Campoy’s introduction, and the tales’ origins and bibliography, including art reproductions, in the back matter, combine to enrich understanding of the culture of these strong heroines and heroes. Hernandez’s vivid illustrations make the tales modern, relatable and universal." - Youth Services Book Review Massachusetts
Finalist for 2019 Excellence In Graphic Literature Award, Best in Children's Graphic Literature (Fiction)!
05/01/2018
Gr 4–6—This is the first children's book by groundbreaking comic artist Jaime Hernandez, one of the three Hernandez brothers responsible for the comic "Love and Rockets." Readers will most likely skip over the old-fashioned, didactic introduction by F. Isabel Campoy on the power of folktales to get to the fun part, and what fun it is. In "The Dragon Slayer," a resourceful farm girl refuses to let a seven-headed dragon interfere with her plans of marriage to a prince. "Martina Martinez and Perez the Mouse" centers on a foolish young bride who, when her mouse husband falls into a pot of soup, cries instead of rescuing him. And in "Tup and the Ants," a lazy young man goes far on his wits and ability to get others to do his work. Hernandez's colorful, expressive drawings are full of movement, helping the stories extend beyond the concise, direct text. As so often happens in folktales, humans and animals exist on the same plane, adding to the whimsy. A brief discussion of the three selections closes out each volume. VERDICT These delightfully rendered stories should easily find a home in the folktale/fairy-tale section of any library.—Lucia Acosta, Children's Literature Specialist, Princeton, NJ
★ 2018-03-04
A trio of Latin American folktales are given a makeover in the children's-book debut of one of the brothers behind famed graphic-novel series Love and Rockets.In the three stories, a young girl proves her smarts and bravery, not to mention her skills as a dragon slayer; a woman named Martina Martínez marries a mouse, which leads to an unexpected tragedy; and a boy named Tup considered lazy by his family finds a way to feed them all. In his six-panel pages, Hernandez flexes his considerable storytelling skills, his deceptively simple art conveying all the detail, nuance, and expression of character each story needs. The protagonist of the first tale is unnamed, which becomes ironic given how much agency she employs to get to the future her selfless acts should earn her. In the second piece, an older woman turns out to be the hero by simply practicing common sense that everyone else has forgotten. And in the final story, it's cleverness that saves the day. In addition to the tales themselves, the book opens with an on-point essay by author F. Isabel Campoy putting the mix of Spanish and Native American influences in context. It closes with brief histories and art influences for each story as well as English- and Spanish-language phrases to help readers start telling their own. María E. Santana's simultaneously publishing Spanish-language translation is identical in look but far from dry, flawlessly employing its own language quirks.Rousing tales, spirited artwork, and rich backmatter ensure that this slim graphic novel for kids becomes a rich resource for all caregivers, not just those of Latinx children. (bibliography) (Graphic folktales. 4-10)
