Día de disfraces

January 1, 2022
Madrid resident, author, and illustrator G�mez delivers yet another delightful picture book reflecting childhood's simple joys. A young, brown-skinned girl is eager to show off her homemade rabbit get-up at her class's upcoming costume party. Unfortunately, on the big day, she wakes up sick, so she has to stay home, much to her chagrin. Feeling better the next day, she dons her rabbit costume upon her mother's suggestion, then eagerly heads to school. Her schoolmates' reception, however, is less than ideal--students stare, point, and laugh. A moving, wordless double-page spread shows the protagonist running away from the playground in embarrassment. But when Hugo, who also missed the costume party, arrives wearing a carrot costume--"seriously!"--a game of rabbit-chases-the-carrot begins, and soon everyone wants to join the fun. G�mez does a solid job capturing Spanish colloquialisms (cole, conejito, ten�a tantas ganas, genial) from beginning to heartfelt end. Unfortunately, the translation in the simultaneously published English edition is choppy and doesn't do the original Spanish edition justice. The charming paper collage and digital illustrations have a flat rendering style reminiscent of child art and faithfully capture the distinctive gestures and deeply felt emotions of young children. The book's artwork includes diverse representation. Genial and satisfying in its sweet, childlike simplicity. (Spanish language picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 12, 2022
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* G�mez, author-illustrator of Un p�jaro en casa (2021) and several other titles that showcase her warm, grounded style, here shares a touching tale of a child's wish to fit in. After a little girl misses costume day at school and instead wears her rabbit outfit the following day, she feels out of place and more alone than ever--that is, until a new friend shows up wearing a carrot costume, having also missed the appropriate day for dressing up. The next day, though, to everyone's surprise, everyone shows up wearing costumes in solidarity, and the main character finds herself making even more new friends. G�mez's cheerful, warm-toned artwork accompanies a mundane but poignant experience in which a child discovers the importance of self-expression and having fun, learning that there are no "rules" to being a kid. The joy of dress-up, the gleefulness of youth, and the nostalgia of school days come full circle in this beautifully illustrated adventure.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.