Reviews

El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! by Donna Barba Higuera

kimberlyyyreads's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was so cute, little Kim would have loved reading this in elementary school. 

Found this at my university’s library and knew I needed to read it ASAP

nicolemhewitt's review

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5.0

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

This picture book is absolutely adorable!! Ramón is scared for his first day of school after moving to the US, but things change when he learns that even El Cucuy (also known as the Mexican Boogeyman) is scared of this new place. The two end up reassuring each other and building each other up, and they soon find that in the act of helping someone else feel brave, they feel much braver themselves. I absolutely LOVE the idea of an imaginary friend (frenemy?) helping a kiddo through tough transitions. This book is incredibly sweet and the illustrations are bold, geometric and utterly charming.

I love that the author and illustrator both give some background on El Cucuy at the end of the book, as well!

carolineinthelibrary's review

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5.0

Ramon is scared of some really tough things. He’s moved and nothing is familiar. His old friend El Cucuy is scared of the changes too. Ramon reminds El Cucuy of all the times things have turned out okay. I thought this book was really cute and rich with Mexican culture and the Spanish language. The authors note at the end was really great. Definitely have to have the right audience for storytime because El Cucuy is meant to be scary so it might frighten younger readers.

dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review

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5.0

The illustrations are so beautiful!

barbarianlibarian's review

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3.0

a little underwhelming

susancalvillo's review

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funny inspiring lighthearted

5.0

emmaillustrate's review

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5.0

This is a really fun and also comforting book all about a little boy and El Cucuy, a creature who is supposed to be scary, but Ramón has bigger worries like settling into his new home and town, and starting a new school. The story of their bond where they explore their emotions and comfort each other is really sweet and reassuring. I enjoyed the mixture of Spanish and English words in the text by Donna Barba Higuera.

Juliana Perdomo's graphic and appealing characters, colour palettes and environments are wonderful!

mochomito's review

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inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

claireargent's review

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fast-paced

4.25

rachelm31f6b's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75