Skeletina y el Entremundo (Skeletina and the In-Between World)

August 1, 2022
Grades K-3 In this lovely picture book, Skeletina introduces her lively cast of friends in the world of in-between, where the living visit while they are asleep. Skeletina enjoys meeting children who are visiting and helps them get over their fears or reunites them with loved ones who have passed away. Helped along by full-color cartoon illustrations drawn with pencils, the Spanish text invitingly introduces the dreamer to creatures that are happy to teach different skills, which will help them face fears, harness creativity, or find comfort. Despite the ghosts and skeletons, this isn't scary, as the story is presented in a positive way, bursting with color and an emphasis on the fact that the world in-between can be shaped and molded however the dreamer wishes. A playful story full of Latinx cultural touchstones.

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September 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 2-Skeletina lives in the entremundo, the "in-between" world, where ghosts who have unfinished business reside. Skeletina loves living in the entremundo because she is surrounded by her friends, from a little dog named Pancho who wants to be brave to Sombras, who may seem spooky at first but really is just a little shy. What Skeletina loves the most about the entremundo, however, is the way that the living can visit in their dreams and often reunite with loved ones who have passed away. Skeletina makes friends with visitors to her world and helps them overcome fears and let go of worries that may be weighing them down. The colorful buildings and surroundings of the entremundo mix with the blacks, whites, and grays of the expressive characters, bringing to mind the calacas of Mexican folk art. Easy to read Spanish text adeptly introduces the in-between world, highlighting Skeletina's adventures with her friends but also touching upon topics like being scared and loss of a loved one. Skeletina comforts readers with her kindness, encouraging them by modeling through her actions with the characters she meets. Much like Flavia Z. Drago's Gustavo, el fantasmita t�mido, this tale introduces a colorful world that shows readers things are not always as they seem. VERDICT With unique characters, an intriguing premise, and a welcoming protagonist, readers will want to revisit the entremundo again. Highly recommended for Spanish picture book collections as part of D�a de los Muertos or Halloween displays or all year long.-Selenia Paz

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