sunny76's review against another edition
4.0
Lowriders, friendship, and bullying. There are three friends, a girl, a mosquito, and an octopus that are bullied by an ocelot, a buzzard, and a turkey that are in a gang together. Good story line in English with some Spanish mixed in.
maravillosa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Probably the best book of the series!
wildmoore's review against another edition
3.0
fun to read as well as educational for learning spanish
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy this series. I love the interplay of English, Spanish, and indigenous words in the text. I love the notes on the back. Most of all, I love Raul the Third's ballpoint pen illustrations. I could stare at them for a long time. I may not know anything about lowriders, but I love these friends.
lindsayb's review against another edition
5.0
Love this series so much. It was great to get an origin story!
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy this series. I love the interplay of English, Spanish, and indigenous words in the text. I love the notes on the back. Most of all, I love Raul the Third's ballpoint pen illustrations. I could stare at them for a long time. I may not know anything about lowriders, but I love these friends.
brucefarrar's review
5.0
Along with his brothers, the young mosquito Elirio Malaria has a great passion for farting contests, but he is also an artist with a passion for words and painting murals, but when a bunch of bigger bullies deface his art, he is both outraged and broken-hearted. Suddenly the bullies are distracted by a runaway bicycle speeding down the street. The jam the spokes to stop it, throwing its rider Flapjack Octopus del Mar, Jr. from his seat and right into Elrio’s arms. He’s glad to be saved but horrified that his new bike is bent out of shape. Fortunately for both Flapjack and Elrio, Lupe Impala is riding by. She stops to help them fix the bike, and then invites them to her moms’ junk shop and workshop. This is the beginning of a lowrider car club that will someday soar into the heavens.
But first, for our young heroes, there are famous artists to be recognized, a kitten to be adopted, papel picados to be created and admired, the workings of an airbrush to be explained, a car contest to be won, discrimination to be overcome, and bullies to be defeated. Plus, many Spanish and indigenous words to be learned and painted. It’s a cultural fiesta in vivid black, white, blue, red and green to be explored and savored!
But first, for our young heroes, there are famous artists to be recognized, a kitten to be adopted, papel picados to be created and admired, the workings of an airbrush to be explained, a car contest to be won, discrimination to be overcome, and bullies to be defeated. Plus, many Spanish and indigenous words to be learned and painted. It’s a cultural fiesta in vivid black, white, blue, red and green to be explored and savored!