  | Unlikely aventuras of Ramon and El Cucuy (Unlikely Aventuras of Ramon and El Cucuy) Author: Higuera, Donna Barba | |
| Price: $20.48 | ||
Summary:
A young cucuy, assigned to scare a boy named Ramon, struggles to frighten him when Ramon is too preoccupied with worrying about starting a new school, leading to an unexpected friendship between them.
| Illustrator: | Perdomo, Juliana |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.30 Points: 2.0 Quiz: 555668 |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (+) (05/01/25)
Booklist (08/01/25)
The Hornbook (00/09/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2025 Gr 2–4—A young monster looking for belonging. Higuera's 2021 picture book, El Cucuy is Scared, Too! is about a little boy named Ramón and the cucuy (or bogeyman) that lives in his room. El Cucuy isn't able to scare Ramón because there are much scarier things than the monster that lives in the cactus pot, like a big move to a new city with new friends. In this sweet chapter book, Higuera gives readers the backstory behind the picture book and they learn more about how El Cucuy gets assigned to Ramón and his adventures in a human house. Higuera sprinkles Spanish words throughout the book about this Mexican myth. El Cucuy longs for a family of his own, and Ramón and El Cucuy bond over their fear of not being accepted. The novel is written from El Cucuy's perspective, and his innocence about the human world makes this a cute rather than scary read. VERDICT For young readers who enjoyed Higuera's El Cucuy picture books and Monsters, Inc. - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 08/01/2025 Higuera offers a witty and tender inversion of traditional monster tales. This delightful story is told from the perspective of a young, inexperienced cucuy (a monster found in Hispanic culture) tasked with frightening a young boy named Ramón. However, El Cucuy finds his attempts to scare Ramón are ineffective because of the boy’s real fear: starting at a new school. Throughout the story, El Cucuy meets the family and even attends school with Ramón, and what emerges is a warm narrative about the power of understanding and unexpected friendship. The prose is brisk, fun, and emotionally astute, balancing light, eerie elements with genuine reflections on childhood vulnerability and character growth. The expressive dichromatic illustrations complement the text, enhancing tone and mood without overshadowing the narrative. The Spanish words expertly woven throughout the story may require translation for some readers but could lead to powerful language and cultural learning. Ideal for early independent readers, this title skillfully combines accessible language, cultural richness, and emotional resonance. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
