(3) K-3 Illustrated by Diana Hernández. Toucan Grecia’s life is upended when a group of humans senselessly destroy her upper beak in this picture book based on a true story. News of the injury spreads, inspiring her rescue team of veterinarians and engineers to build her a 3D-printed prosthetic beak and sparking demands that lead to Costa Rica’s first anti-animal cruelty law. Cartoony digital illustrations soften the story’s darker moments, showcasing the beauty of Grecia’s rainforest home and the passion of Grecia’s diverse supporters. Back matter includes an author’s note, timeline, additional facts about Grecia’s life, and a bibliography.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(2) YA Can a "tocororo-girl" and a "song-boy" find love in the mountains of Costa Rica? In this novel set in 2018, two teens from vastly different worlds tell their stories in free verse poems, alternating points of view. Soleida, a talented painter, must leave Cuba after a catastrophic hurricane destroys her home and her parents are imprisoned when the "art police" discover their unsanctioned sculptures. Her journey is harrowing and mirrors the plight of many present-day "climate migrants." In California, Dariel, a gifted guitarist, flees the mansion he shares with his telenovela-star parents when wildfires destroy it. He accompanies his Cuban American abuelo to Costa Rica. The teens meet and begin to share their gifts of music and art. Dariel slowly uncovers Soleida's horrific story, and she begins to heal and feel empowered to search for her parents and help a cousin with a local reforestation project. Engle (Your Heart, My Sky, rev. 3/21) weaves a compelling love story balanced with an invitation to readers to consider the impact of climate change and the necessity for action now. She populates her poetry with vivid descriptions of many colorful bird species alongside lyrical references to musicians and poets giving us "something magical and scientific / at the same time." An author's note details the story's real-life inspirations.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2023

(3) YA Seventeen-year-old introvert Tom's misgivings about his school trip to Costa Rica seem justified when the plane they're on crashes, killing everyone but Tom and a handful of classmates. Interpersonal dynamics combined with a richly drawn, dangerous landscape make for a suspenseful and emotionally intense survival narrative.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Detwiler. Photographs by Brady Barr, Jessica Rosnick, and Mario Aldecoa. This accessible diary, in English with occasional Spanish words and translations, gives a fictionalized account of schoolchildren's hands-on study of American crocodiles in Costa Rica. Alexa records the progress of a baby croc from its hatching to its release in the wild. Page design is haphazard, but realistic drawings and photographs lend a you-are-there feel; back matter provides more information about crocs and conservation.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 1-3 Calico: Pony Girls series. Illustrated by Paula Franco. Four girls experience growing pains of friendship at Storm Cliff Stables camp. Dani, who's from Costa Rica, constantly feels one-upped by her overachiever cousin, Gabriela; Carly hates following rules; Kianna, still seven, faces challenges as the youngest. New readers will have fun horsing around with the girls in these high-interest if facile stories. Average-quality illustrations emphasize the cast's racial diversity. Review covers the following Calico: Pony Girls titles: Carly, Daniela, Gabriela, and Kianna.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(2) K-3 Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. An explanation of the life cycle of butterflies gets an intriguing twist in this account of the work of a Costa Rican butterfly farm, where blue morpho butterflies are raised and the pupae eventually shipped to museums for display and observation. Detailed discussion of each life stage is accompanied by wonderfully sharp, close-up photographs that show intricate structural details. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(3) 4-6 Seventh graders Anna, José, and Henry band together to uncover the truth behind the heist of the Star-Spangled Banner flag (Capture). In Hide the kids, now junior members of the secret Silver Jaguar Society, travel from Washington, DC, to the Costa Rican rainforest to track down the stolen Jaguar Cup. These breezy novels will draw in mystery and adventure fans. Review covers these titles: Capture the Flag and Hide and Seek.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) K-3 Visit To series. In each revised and updated book, thirteen double-page spreads with one photo per page cover topics such as landmarks (natural and man-made), dress (traditional and modern), homes, transportation, and leisure activities. Unremarkable texts, consisting of a few large-type sentences under each picture, point out similarities to American customs while introducing cultural traditions. Pronunciation guides for a few words are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Visit To titles: Costa Rica, Colombia, and Brazil.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Visual Geography series. Color photographs, maps, and sidebars combine with a dry but informative text to provide a comprehensive study of the geography, history, government, people, culture, and economy of Costa Rica. A website maintained by the publisher provides additional up-to-date information for the report-driven reader. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Claire B. Cotts. When Ana, who lives with her mother in an unnamed U.S. city, puts Mamá's stone from Costa Rica under her pillow, she dreams of being reunited with her extended family in Central America. There's little plot, but Cotts's beautiful mural-like paintings capture both the mundane aspects of Ana's urban life and her fantasy world. Glos.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. Comparison with neighboring countries lays a framework for this formulaic introduction to Costa Rica. Photographs depict the country as a land of geographical variety--mountains, seashore, and tropical rainforest. Points of interest are cattle ranching, volcanoes, and Costa Rica's exotic animal population, which includes kinkajous, poison dart frogs, and speckled caimans. Reading list, map, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Steadwell Books World Tour series. These books, illustrated with small color photos and maps, provide brief but varied information about geography, government, people, religion, history, and current events in these countries. The tour-guide tone can be irritating, but the books are adequate resources for report writers. Introductory tips on using the table of contents, index, and glossary are a welcome addition. "People to Know," "Quick facts," reading list. [Review covers these Steadwell Books World Tour titles: Nicaragua and Costa Rica.]

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Countries of the World series. Tour book-like overviews of Peruvian and Costa Rican geography, history, and arts are followed by more intensive looks at subjects including major exports, archaeological sites, unique animals, and religious practices. Numerous sidebars and captions direct readers to different parts of the text and distract from the flow of information. Varied photos and a map illustrate the books. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Rothman. Richly detailed paintings show the flora and fauna of the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica while the text provides some background information about the conditions that create a cloud forest and the great variety of plants and animals found within its borders. Environmental problems are discussed, and several organizations that are working on these issues are listed, as are some relevant websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Festivals of the World series. Showing how a country's festivals reflect its culture, each volume begins by locating the country on a map and briefly describing its population. While the entries don't have much in-depth information, the accessible style and liberal use of color photographs make these books useful for quick, celebratory tours of each country. Instructions for traditional crafts and recipes are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. A strawberry poison frog's growth from tadpole to mature adult provides an excuse to introduce the exotic creatures and setting of a Costa Rican rainforest in words and lush, detailed illustrations. A double-page picture glossary foldout summarizes and identifies flora and fauna. A note explains that La Selva is a biological research station run by the Organization for Tropical Studies.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Enchantment of the World series. This survey of the Central American nation is enhanced by the clear color photographs on every page. The accessible prose explores Costa Rica's history, economics, and natural resources. Information on holidays, sports, and entertainment is an added attraction. A time line contrasts Costa Rica's history with world events. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cristina Acosta. Woman disobeys her husband Thunder and her creator Sibu and brings about her transformation into the life-giving Sea, completing the creation of the world. Acosta's illustrations with their thick swirls of paint in a rainbow palette add joyful vitality to the tale. Lots of repetition and exuberant sound effects make this a great storytelling choice.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen