El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!

June 1, 2021
Ram�n has a frenemy in El Cucuy, an anxious boogeyman. Nothing is the same since Ram�n and his family--and El Cucuy--have moved. The house is different, the night noises are different, and the new school will definitely be different. How can El Cucuy's howling and growling frighten the boy when there are much scarier things out there? Will the school be too big? Will the kids make fun of how he speaks? Will he make any friends? He misses his old home, and so does El Cucuy--being uprooted is no fun at all. The frenemies take turns reminiscing about the good old days and reminding each other about when they were each brave and strong. Glowing red eyes in the closet? Who cares! Scratching at the window? Nothing a good loud rendition of "Cielito Lindo" can't overcome. Before anyone can say "boo"--or "�buuum!"--they're arm in arm, brave and smiling. Higuera's back-and-forth dialogue serves to defuse the duo's mutual fear of the unknown with a point-by-point analysis of each potentially scary scenario. Spanish phrases are peppered throughout (one phrase in error); while there is no glossary, most should be accessible to readers who don't speak the language. Perdomo's whimsical illustrations portray El Cucuy as a hairy, fanged-but-cute dumpling of a monster, a far cry from the more anthropomorphic and mega-frightening creature of Mexican folklore. This exploration of children in transition reminds readers that change can make even El Cucuy insecure. (author's note, illustrator's note) (Picture book. 4-7)

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June 28, 2021
Ramón, a dark-haired, light brown–skinned child, has just moved to New York with his family in this tender picture book debut. Feeling homesick and apprehensive, he can’t sleep; soon, El Cucuy, a cape-clad gray creature with sharp teeth (“also known as the Mexican Boogeyman,” according to an author’s note), reveals that he can’t, as well. The duo exchange their concerns: Ramón worries about making new friends at a new school, while El Cucuy—who lives in Ramón’s cactus pot—worries about a lack of small, dark spaces in which to hide and whether people will know to fear him. As Ramón comforts and reassures El Cucuy, he soon finds strength to face his own fears. Higuera gracefully interweaves Spanish and English, while Perdomo’s subtly textured digital illustrations feature vibrant colors and geometrically stylized scenes. A delightful infusion of folklore makes this new-school narrative stand out. Back matter includes author’s and illustrator’s notes. Ages 4–8.

September 3, 2021

PreS-Gr 2-Ram�n and El Cucuy share a bedroom, with El Cucuy making his home in a small cactus pot. After leaving their home for New York, these two unusual roommates begin to share their fears with one another. Ram�n wonders whether his new school will be different from his old one. What about the students there, will they be friendly? El Cucuy wonders whether there will be enough hiding spots for him. What if he can't find a small, quiet space? Ram�n and El Cucuy share memories of what life was like before-how Ram�n was brave and able to ignore El Cucuy with a song, and how El Cucuy made his eyes glow red and howled in the night. Fun, colorful illustrations bring to life a legendary creature from Latin American folklore, and paint fears and worries in a different light. The short text, mostly a conversation between the boy and El Cucuy, calmly explores the worries that come with changes, such as moving to a new city, starting at a new school, and making new friends. A unique picture book featuring two very unlikely friends who show young readers the importance of supporting one another and discover that everyone has fears of their own. VERDICT A sweet choice for most picture book collections.-Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2021
Ramon, a Mexican American boy, is scared of starting school in a new town. El Cucuy, the Bogeyman in Mexican folklore, lives in a cactus pot in Ramon's room. Like Ramon, he too is anxious about being in a foreign setting. By talking it out and remembering the ways they have been there for each other, Ramon and El Cucuy realize that they can take on this new place together. Higuera fluidly intersperses Spanish words throughout the text, and their meanings can be inferred from context. She also inserts other Mexican tributes, for instance when Ramon recalls singing "Cielito Lindo," one of the most popular songs in Mexican culture. These additions grant a depth to Ramon's backstory and show his individuality while highlighting the differences he may encounter in his unfamiliar environment. Perdomo's digital illustrations in vibrant hues pay homage to Ramon's heritage, including the endpapers done in a serape pattern. The drawings appear in a two-dimensional style, but the characters are expressive; El Cucuy's emotive eyes show his vulnerability, making him likable and nonthreatening. This genial story of overcoming one's fears alongside a traditionally feared entity will encourage youngsters to be brave in the face of adversity. Yesica Hurd

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2021
Ramon, a Mexican American boy, is scared of starting school in a new town. El Cucuy, the Bogeyman in Mexican folklore, lives in a cactus pot in Ramon's room. Like Ramon, he too is anxious about being in a foreign setting. By talking it out and remembering the ways they have been there for each other, Ramon and El Cucuy realize that they can take on this new place together. Higuera fluidly intersperses Spanish words throughout the text, and their meanings can be inferred from context. She also inserts other Mexican tributes, for instance when Ramon recalls singing "Cielito Lindo," one of the most popular songs in Mexican culture. These additions grant a depth to Ramon's backstory and show his individuality while highlighting the differences he may encounter in his unfamiliar environment. Perdomo's digital illustrations in vibrant hues pay homage to Ramon's heritage, including the endpapers done in a serape pattern. The drawings appear in a two-dimensional style, but the characters are expressive; El Cucuy's emotive eyes show his vulnerability, making him likable and nonthreatening. This genial story of overcoming one's fears alongside a traditionally feared entity will encourage youngsters to be brave in the face of adversity.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)