In El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! , a boy and his monster confront their mutual fears in this unlikely friendship story that’s rooted in Mexican folklore from Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award-winning author Donna Barba Higuera and illustrator Juliana Perdomo. Ramón is a little boy who can’t sleep. He is nervous for his first day at a new school. And El Cucuy is the monster who lives in Ramón’s cactus pot. He can’t sleep, either. It turns out that El Cucuy is scared, too! This gentle, perceptive story explores the worries that can accompany moving to a new place and beginning a new journey—and reveals how comfort, bravery, and strength can be found through even the most unexpected of friendships. “Higuera fluidly intersperses Spanish words throughout the text, and their meanings can be inferred from context. . . . These additions grant a depth to Ramón’s backstory and show his individuality while highlighting the differences he may encounter in his unfamiliar environment. Perdomo’s digital illustrations in vibrant hues pay homage to Ramón’s heritage.” — The Horn Book Magazine Also available: It’s Navidad, El Cucuy! PreS-Gr 2—Ramón and El Cucuy share a bedroom, with El Cucuy making his home in a small cactus pot. After leaving their home for New York, these two unusual roommates begin to share their fears with one another. Ramón wonders whether his new school will be different from his old one. What about the students there, will they be friendly? El Cucuy wonders whether there will be enough hiding spots for him. What if he can't find a small, quiet space? Ramón and El Cucuy share memories of what life was like before—how Ramón was brave and able to ignore El Cucuy with a song, and how El Cucuy made his eyes glow red and howled in the night. Fun, colorful illustrations bring to life a legendary creature from Latin American folklore, and paint fears and worries in a different light. The short text, mostly a conversation between the boy and El Cucuy, calmly explores the worries that come with changes, such as moving to a new city, starting at a new school, and making new friends. A unique picture book featuring two very unlikely friends who show young readers the importance of supporting one another and discover that everyone has fears of their own. VERDICT A sweet choice for most picture book collections.—Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston "Higuera fluidly intersperses Spanish words throughout the text, and their meanings can be inferred from context... These additions grant a depth to Ramón’s backstory and show his individuality while highlighting the differences he may encounter in his unfamiliar environment. Perdomo’s digital illustrations in vibrant hues pay homage to Ramón’s heritage. "― The Horn Book Magazine "This exploration of children in transition reminds readers that change can make even El Cucuy insecure." ― Kirkus Reviews Donna Barba Higuera grew up dodging dust devils in the oilfields of central California. She was a daydreamer, constantly blending life experiences and folklore into stories. Now she weaves them into picture books and novels. Higuera currently lives among the spiraling mists of the Pacific Northwest with her husband, four children, three dogs, two frogs, and hundreds of wild birds who flock to her backyard birdfeeders every day. El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! is her debut picture book. She is also the author of the middle-grade novel Lupe Wong Won’t Dance . Juliana Perdomo is a Colombian illustrator and writer with a background as a psychologist and art therapist. Her work is joyful and heartfelt, folkish, and a bit retro, with a Latin touch. She has participated in different projects as an illustrator, El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! being her debut in the United States. Perdomo lives in Bogotá, Colombia, with her amazing son, Luca, and a crazy old dog named Menta.