The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jamie Hernandez, with an introduction by F. Isabel Campoy. Toon, 2018. 9781943145287
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Folktales
What did you like about the book? Three folktales from Latin America are rendered into graphic novel form is this attractive addition to the Toon library. Included are “The Dragon Slayer,” a classic tale of a youngest sister who must be strong and clever to survive; “Martina Martínez and Pérez the Mouse,” by Alma Flor Ada, about a young woman whose husband, a rat, falls into the soup, and his eventual rescue; and “Tup and the Ants,” about a lazy youngest son who ends up being the luckiest son of all. I like that the book is imbued with images and patterns from Latin American art, and includes historical backgrounds of the tales. 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.
To whom would you recommend this book? For kids ages 6-10 who like folktales or who enjoy the Toon series of graphic novels.
Who should buy this book? Elementary school and public libraries
Where would you shelve it ? Graphic novels 398.2
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If you are curious about how Jamie Hernandez’s work translates to children’s books, take a look.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: March 13, 2018
—
Youth Services Book Review 
You must be logged in to post a comment.