TEAM UP

Find out how El Toro and his friends became “¡un equipo maravilloso!”

The ragtag team of luchadores first meet as rambunctious kids—untrained and unfocused—heading to Ricky Ratón’s School of Lucha for one purpose: “to learn how to WRESTLE!” Under the tutelage of the muscular Ricky Ratón and his chicken sidekick, the real training for El Toro and his friends begins. The luchadores-in-training learn many, many skills, including acrobatics, discipline, and patience. Best of all, they each hone “their very own special move!” In a series of humorous panels that mimic a training montage, readers see the cast of anthropomorphized animals in action, with zany moves that seem to bounce off the page. Unitalicized words and phrases in Spanish pop up among the predominantly English text to echo certain lines and action words, providing translations that slip in with ease. After the stupendous training, a proud Ricky Ratón reveals one final surprise test: The young luchadores must beat their maestro in a battle. One by one, El Toro and his friends lose against their powerful teacher until the luchadores-in-training realize that teaming up brings its own rewards. Author/illustrator Raúl the Third and colorist Bay’s latest retains the series’ use of short, punchy sentences, kaleidoscopic artwork, and comic book–style panels and speech bubbles; this one is sure to be a can’t-miss read-aloud. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A visual feast that packs a punch.