kaloughl's review
4.0
Super cute early reader chapter book! I loved the magical element of sewing and learning to let go of perfectionism (some lessons we all need to learn). The mystery element was cute too.
pib003's review
5.0
I really, really enjoyed this and I'm so excited to recommend it! The storyline is original, Spanish vocabulary and phrases are integrated smoothly into the mostly English text, there are multiple great social-emotional learning opportunities, the ending wasn't predictable, there wasn't a bad guy in the story... I could go on and on. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
the_fabric_of_words's review
5.0
I don’t often delve into the chapter book realm. It’s a little too young for my teaching needs / reading tastes, but I do recognize that teachers need titles that reflect their students and I loved that these are available now to younger readers.
Catalina Incognito is the first in a series and is similarly fast-paced. Cat’s aunt, her Tia, gives her a magical sewing kit. To demonstrate its powers, she sews kitty cat ears onto Cat’s hoodie and when Cat wears it, that’s all people see – a stray cat.
As a teacher, I remember the “cat ears” craze from a decade or so ago, so I think this series will definitely resonate with younger readers.
The author, Jennifer Torres, has a pretty big backlist to explore, as well. Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Catalina Incognito is the first in a series and is similarly fast-paced. Cat’s aunt, her Tia, gives her a magical sewing kit. To demonstrate its powers, she sews kitty cat ears onto Cat’s hoodie and when Cat wears it, that’s all people see – a stray cat.
As a teacher, I remember the “cat ears” craze from a decade or so ago, so I think this series will definitely resonate with younger readers.
The author, Jennifer Torres, has a pretty big backlist to explore, as well. Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
apierlessbridge's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
On Catalina Castañeda's eighth birthday her fabulous Tía Abuela has come to visit and to host a display of one of her famous gowns at the local library. She gives Catalina a sewing kit that turns out to be magical! By sewing cat ears onto her hoodie, she can turn into a cat herself. This comes in handy when a jewel in the dress goes missing and Catalina and her friend, Pablo, need to investigate what happened. I loved the family and sibling relationships and how they all encourage Catalina to keep learning how to sew and ride a skateboard even when it's frustrating and hard. I also loved how she and Pablo, a Tía Abuela superfan, have to work together in the library to solve the mystery. This was a heartwarming, fun story, and an overall great read.
porshea's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Book one in a new chapter book series, Catalina Incognito brings the fun and mystery promised to readers in a cute and charming story about family, trying something new, and embracing a bit of chaos.
It’s Catalina Castañeda’s eighth birthday and all through the house, change is stirring—which freaks Catalina out. You see, Catalina—or Cat as her family calls her to her newly-felt chagrin—is what the adults in her life have labeled as quisquillosa (persnickety). She would tell you that she just likes things in particular ways. In Catalina’s mind, closets should be well-organized and she should be able to pick up skateboard tricks by replicating them just so. However, everywhere she turns things are going awry. To make matters worse, her Tía Abuela, who she can always count on to give her the best gifts, has given her the most underwhelming sewing kit she’s ever seen. Thankfully, there’s more to the sewing kit than meets the eye, and under her Tía Abuela’s tutelage she is able to use the kit to create unique disguises. This gift couldn’t have better timing as Catalina stumbles upon a mystery where disguises could help her to save the day. Can she solve the mystery and show her family that she’s got it all figured out—persnickety or not?
As an adult who has lived with a reputation for being picky her whole life, I found myself relating to Catalina and other characters in Catalina Incognito a lot. I could also see the dynamics of Catalina’s role as the middle sibling and how her relationship with her older sister and younger brother played out. I believe that this story is a beautiful integration of family ties, learning how to set expectations for yourself, and following curiosity and imagination where it takes you.
Originally posted: https://blackgirlscreate.org/2022/03/the-plot-thickens-catalina-incognito/
It’s Catalina Castañeda’s eighth birthday and all through the house, change is stirring—which freaks Catalina out. You see, Catalina—or Cat as her family calls her to her newly-felt chagrin—is what the adults in her life have labeled as quisquillosa (persnickety). She would tell you that she just likes things in particular ways. In Catalina’s mind, closets should be well-organized and she should be able to pick up skateboard tricks by replicating them just so. However, everywhere she turns things are going awry. To make matters worse, her Tía Abuela, who she can always count on to give her the best gifts, has given her the most underwhelming sewing kit she’s ever seen. Thankfully, there’s more to the sewing kit than meets the eye, and under her Tía Abuela’s tutelage she is able to use the kit to create unique disguises. This gift couldn’t have better timing as Catalina stumbles upon a mystery where disguises could help her to save the day. Can she solve the mystery and show her family that she’s got it all figured out—persnickety or not?
As an adult who has lived with a reputation for being picky her whole life, I found myself relating to Catalina and other characters in Catalina Incognito a lot. I could also see the dynamics of Catalina’s role as the middle sibling and how her relationship with her older sister and younger brother played out. I believe that this story is a beautiful integration of family ties, learning how to set expectations for yourself, and following curiosity and imagination where it takes you.
Originally posted: https://blackgirlscreate.org/2022/03/the-plot-thickens-catalina-incognito/
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