LA LLORONA CAN’T SCARE ME / LA LLORONA NO ME ASUSTA

By Xavier Garza

Spanish translation by Gabriela Baeza Ventura

 

ISBN:  978-1-55885-924-1

Publication Date:  October 31, 2021

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  32

Imprint: Piñata Books

Ages: 4-8

 

Traditional Latin American monsters are sure to thrill young readers!

 

Little Damian is getting ready for bed, and the spooky monster called La Llorona is hollering up a storm outside his bedroom window. But he’s not afraid. “You can’t scare me, silly Llorona,” says Damian, “and neither can your monster friends!”

 

When evil-looking witch owls fly around his room and little green duendes, or goblins, make creepy noises under his bed, he’s still not frightened. Not even a little bit. The Donkey Lady, a chupacabras and even some little devils parade through his room, but Damian still isn’t afraid. A witch casting spells, a ghost rattling its chains, a cucuy with a burlap bag to catch him … nada. None of them can terrify brave little Damian. How can a little boy like him be so fearless?!?

 

No one knows it, but Damian has a secret weapon: a night light shaped like a mighty wrestler wearing a silver mask. When he plugs it in, its bright light terrifies all the monsters and sends them running for a place to hide! Touching on issues such as bedtime rituals and nighttime terrors, children ages 4-8 will enjoy this entertaining story that features creepy creatures familiar to many Hispanic kids.

 

“Full-bleed color artwork populates all the recto pages, while the running refrain, “You can’t scare me….Not even a little bit / No me asusta….Ni un poquito,” concludes most text on verso and will likely have young audiences chiming in.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

 

XAVIER GARZA is the author and illustrator of numerous books for kids, including picture books Juan and the Chupacabras / Juan y el Chupacabras (Piñata Books, 2006), Zulema and the Witch Owl / Zulema y la Bruja Lechuza (Piñata Books, 2009), Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask (Cinco Puntos Press, 2007) and The Great and Mighty Nikko (Cinco Puntos Press, 2015). He lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.