March 11, 2024
Confident and voluble, pooch protagonist Perla—wearing a pink pearl necklace with a star pendant—narrates Chilean American author Allende’s picture book debut, demonstrating that fierceness and love can be two sides of the same coin. Perla has “two superpowers. Number one: I can make anybody love me. Number two: I can roar like a lion.” Before launching into the main drama, Perla supplies ample backstory, describing young human Nico Rico’s persuading his family to take Perla in (“He threatened to stop breathing and die on the spot if they didn’t”), Nico’s family (their home “once belonged to a wizard”), and more. Meandering text eventually reveals Nico’s anguish about being bullied at school, and describes a day at the park when the family encounters a large, unleashed canine. Using superpower number two, Perla chases the marauder off, a move that inspires Nico to confront the school bully with the same joyous ferocity. Sprightly, animated watercolor and ink drawings by Rodriguez (Lola and the Troll) adhere to the text, maintaining the story’s high energy level and finding ways to include the touches of domestic magic gestured to throughout this sprightly tale about an unlikely animalian hero. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8.
April 15, 2024
In renowned Chilean American author Allende's picture-book debut, a benevolent dog teaches a young boy a new trick. Perla, a small, scraggly shelter dog wearing a pearl necklace, possesses two so-called superpowers: the ability to "make anybody love me" and, even more impressive, given the dog's tiny stature, an enormous roar. The Rico family arrives at the animal shelter intending to adopt a formidable guard dog, but Perla manages to impress them with that immense roar and an assist from bespectacled young Nico Rico, whose insistence seals the deal. Perla proves vital to the Rico family--the canine even helps the family's lazy house cat, Lucy, banish mice. If only Perla could help Nico with his bullying woes at school! After Perla confronts a ferocious, dragonlike dog at the park one day, Nico asks the mighty mutt to "teach him the lion roar." Perla obliges--with hilarious results. Allende has crafted a winsome portrait of a miniature, magical dog whose droll commentary makes for a fab read-aloud, often elevating the central theme--finding the courage to stand up to one's bullies--above tepid familiarity. Rodr�guez's vivid watercolor-and-ink artwork focuses on dynamic body movements and close-ups amid lush backdrops, pulling readers along in the fun from page to page. Nico and his dad have light tan skin, and his mom and teen sister read white. Paws up for this personable pooch. (Picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
May 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 In a debut picture book from renowned Chilean author Allende, Nico finds courage, thanks to the help of his rescue dog, Perla (Spanish for pearl). In her first-person narrative, Perla describes her two superpowers: cuteness and roaring. She uses superpower number one the moment she meets Nico at the shelter; her adorable skill melts his heart. When Perla comes home with Nico, she discovers a magical hiding place, which she shares with him. Observant Perla also notices that, even though he doesn't say anything, Nico's being bullied. One day at the park, a large dog viciously charges toward her, and Perla uses her enormous roaring and growling to intimidate the bigger dog, which runs away. Her bravado inspires Nico to confront his bully at school using Perla's tactics, and it works! The bully backs off, and Nico's mom supports his newfound courage. Allende's story emphasizes not only the importance of standing up to bullies but also that being small doesn't mean you have to feel small. Rodriguez's expressive and playful watercolor-and-ink illustrations give Perla fittingly large personality.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
June 21, 2024
PreS-Gr 2-In this charming, first-ever children's book from acclaimed novelist Allende, a little dog inspires her owner to stand up to a bully. Perla is a rambunctious and small dog who was adopted by Nico and his family. She narrates this story with confidence and the type of cheekiness that will have kids giggling. The puppy introduces herself to readers and declares that she has two superpowers-the ability to make anyone fall in love with her because of her kindness and a super loud roar. One day, as she takes her family to the park, Perla meets a squirrel. During her quarrel with the critter, a big, scary dog starts chasing her. Everyone is afraid for the little dog, but the title character scares him off with her second superpower-a deafening roar. This inspires Nico to face his own bully at school with the same response. Rodr�guez's whimsical illustrations are fun and bright. The watercolor-and-ink images are cheerful and will entice kids to keep turning pages. The silly figures of a small wizard and mouse scampering around on each page makes for a cute seek-and-find that adds another layer of engagement for observant kids. The conflict is resolved pretty quickly, and the message that learning karate will help resolve bullying is a bit murky. Still, children will want to read more Perla adventures. Nico wears glasses. His mom and older sister have pale skin and his father has light brown skin. VERDICT A fun purchase where puppy stories are popular, especially as a read-aloud pick.-Shelley M. Diaz
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