Don't Eat the Birthday Boy! (the Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy Book #2) - (The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy) (Hardcover)

About the Book

The friendly monster El Cucuy reunites with Ramâon at his birthday party where they must fend off other boogeymen from across the realms.

Book Synopsis

A young monster and his human child reunite for a new horror--Ramón's birthday party!--in this spooky-funny chapter book from Newbery Medal-winning author Donna Barba Higuera, with two-color illustrations throughout by Juliana Perdomo

It's a monster's ancient duty to inflict unimaginable horrors on misbehaving kids.

But El Cucuy doesn't want to terrorize his assigned human, Ramón--in fact, he's desperate to get back to the human world to spend more time with his new friend. Unfortunately, back in the monster world, the contract between humans and boogeymen has broken down, and with it, the rules that allow them to coexist in relative peace.

When El Cucuy finally makes it back to Ramón, so do a terrifying assortment of boogeymen from other realms. And to those monsters' delight, they find lots of children gathered in one place: a birthday party! Can El Cucuy and Ramón beat the other boogeymen at their own games--and make sure the birthday boy and his party guests don't get eaten along the way?

Featuring two-color illustrations throughout and perfect for fans of Jon Klassen's The Skull, this chapter-book series from Newbery Medal-winning author Donna Barba Higuera and acclaimed artist Juliana Perdomo delightfully blends sly humor, light spookiness, and lots of heart.

Review Quotes

***STARRED REVIEW***

"Higuera keeps the humorous streak intact, deftly weaving in comical observations from both El Cucuy and Ramón about the human and monster worlds...Perdomo's duotone artwork keeps the lighthearted spookiness alive, enriching the recurring thematic beats of chosen familia and generous friendship once again...A grander, badder boogey world, with an even larger monstrous heart than its predecessor. "

-- "Kirkus Review"

"The humor of cucuys disliking fresh air and flowers but relishing boogers, spit, bugs, and other stinky delights is sure to amuse young readers. This sweet and silly chapter book shows that monsters aren't always what they seem...A solid choice..."

-- "School Library Journal"

About the Author

Donna Barba Higuera grew up dodging dust devils in the oil fields of Central California. She was a daydreamer, constantly blending life experiences and folklore into stories. Higuera currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, two dogs, 11 chickens, and one frog. She is the author of the picture books El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! and It's Navidad, El Cucuy!, both illustrated by Juliana Perdomo, and she is also the author of the middle-grade novels The Last Cuentista, winner of the Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award, Alebrijes, winner of the Pura Belpré Honor, and Lupe Wong Won't Dance, winner of a Pura Belpré Honor, the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor, and a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award. Juliana Perdomo is a Colombian illustrator and writer with a background as a psychologist and art therapist. Her work is joyful, heartfelt, folkish, and a bit retro, with a Latin touch. Perdomo lives in Bogotá, Colombia, with her amazing son, Luca, her rocker partner, Iván, and a funny old dog named Menta.