(2) K-3 Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. Carmencita dislikes picking up rotten mangoes that have fallen from Abuelita's tree. She also doesn't like eating mangoes: they are sticky, and the strings get stuck between her teeth. But Abuelita shows Carmencita that there is more to a mango than its fruit. It takes all five senses to appreciate a mango, as Santos describes in lush language. Listen to "long green leaves...in the breeze" and "the roots stirring"; look at the tree's branches; smell the fruit's "honey-sweet smell"; feel the "soft and firm" skin; and taste it: "The sweetness of Mamá Earth is endless when you bite a ripe mango. Your mouth fills with thick juices and pulp. Tiny strings play between your teeth, and the songs of our people dance on your tongue." The heart of the story is the intergenerational love between Carmencita and Abuelita, which radiates warmth and comfort. Double-page spreads make up a large portion of Perdomo's rich, colorful digital art, bright and full of musicality and movement. An illustration of Abuelita eating a mango with ancestors dancing on her tongue especially showcases the art's meaning. An author's note explains how Santos was inspired by her own childhood in Venezuela. Simultaneously published in Spanish as Comó se come un mango.

Reviewer: Yesica Hurd | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) PS Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. Ramón and his not-so-mythical friend El Cucuy are back for “Nochebuena, the final day of Las Posadas.” With an eye-catching backdrop of cut paper–inspired digital illustrations, Ramón explains the Navidad tradition to El Cucuy and how they will invite the revelers into their family’s house as the last stop. After Ramón reassures him that “por supuesto” he is a part of their family, El Cucuy, in turn, teaches the traditions to Ramón’s snowman, whom he had previously dismissed as “not real.” Continuing the themes of welcoming and belonging from ­El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! (rev. 7/21), this is an enjoyable addition to the quirky series. Author and illustrator notes give more information on Las Posadas and related celebrations.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) PS Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. Ramón, 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 Ramón's room. Like Ramón, 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, Ramón 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 Ramón recalls singing "Cielito Lindo," one of the most popular songs in Mexican culture. These additions grant a depth to Ramón'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 Ramón'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.

Reviewer: Yesica Hurd | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021