One of the New York Times Best Children's Books of 2021 A Children’s Book about finally being seen . Blancaflor , a superb graphic storytelling of a classic Latin American folktale, showcases the invisible labor of women and the contributions of Indigenous cultures. A damsel to the rescue! Raised by a mean ogre of a father who eats his opponents for dinner, Blancaflor is often told not to show off her own considerable powers for fear of scaring off suitors. When a prince falls from the sky and wakes up in her lap, she is spellbound and moves heaven and earth to help the endearing, yet not so clever, young man, all while trying not to let him know. With their trademark magnificent brio, Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio García Sánchez update a classic tale extolling the strength and resourcefulness of women. The award-winning TOON Latin American Folktales series highlights authentic Latin American stories and cultures, bringing them a to a new generation of graphic novel fans around the world. Gr 3-6-Blancaflor's hungry ogre father has invited a prince to test his luck in the usually impossible game of the Ogre's Three. If the prince loses, he'll be eaten by the father and Blancaflor's family will inherit the prince's kingdom; if he wins, he gets the ogre's castle. When the prince arrives and is given near-impossible tasks to complete, Blancaflor finds herself captivated by him and does everything within her power to ensure that her father loses. The use of intricate, curved lines adds visual intrigue to natural elements in this clever and humorous take on a feminist fairy tale told around the world. Scenic panels, particularly those involving the royal family, take on a pastel, stained glass aesthetic. Vertical paneling in the physical environment (in buildings and in nature) skillfully conveys physical movement and story progression in a limited space, and power is often depicted via an effective use of exaggerated character scaling. The prince appears light-skinned-his parents have different skin tones implying different racial or ethic backgrounds-while Blancaflor and her sisters appear to be darker-skinned, likely of mixed European and Indigenous heritage despite having an ogre parent. An introduction is included, and there is a full Spanish-language version; in the English version, only the lyrics to the Spanish Renaissance song "Din Dirin Din" appear in Spanish. VERDICT This version of the classic story is a lovely confluence of European and North American culture that celebrates the strength and wit of a young girl whose abilities have been overlooked or underestimated.-Alea Perez, Elmhurst P.L., ILα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Finalist for 2019 Excellence In Graphic Literature Award, Best in Children's Graphic Literature (Fiction)! A New York Times Editors' Choice ​ NPR 2018 Great Reads ​ A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard ★ "A trio of Latin American folktales are given a makeover in the children's-book debut of one of the brothers behind famed graphic-novel series Love and Rockets...In his six-panel pages, Hernandez flexes his considerable storytelling skills, his deceptively simple art conveying all the detail, nuance, and expression of character each story needs...In addition to the tales themselves, the book opens with an on-point essay by author F. Isabel Campoy putting the mix of Spanish and Native American influences in context...María E. Santana's simultaneously publishing Spanish-language translation is identical in look but far from dry, flawlessly employing its own language quirks. Rousing tales, spirited artwork, and rich backmatter ensure that this slim graphic novel for kids becomes a rich resource for all caregivers, not just those of Latinx children." ​ -- Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW "With its eye-catching design, appealing cover, and its spirited stories, you may have to pry this entertaining and informative book from the hands of children." ​ --Julie Danielson's "Four Favorites" on the Kirkus blog ​A review specifically about our Spanish-language editions: "La Matadragones collects three classic Latin American folktales in comics format. The titular tale starts with the magical words 'Había una vez' ('Once upon a time . . . .') and tells a feminist fantasy story about a girl who makes her own destiny and slays a dragon for her prince. Next up is 'Martina Martínez y El Ratoncito Pérez,' which many Latinx might recognize as 'La Cucarachita Martina.' This story also ends with the 'colorín colorado, este cuento se ha acabado' a beloved, familiar refrain. The final tale is 'Tup y las Hormigas,' which doesn’t celebrate valor, compassion, or other typical folk morals, but rather intelligence and creative thinking. Hernandez' lively, full-color cartoon artwork vividly brings the stories to life. As educational as it is entertaining, this is perfect for folklore lovers of