MG magical realism and mythology - El Niño, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

El Niño, by Pam Muñoz Ryan

From the publisher, Scholastic Press: available May 6, 2025

Kai Sosa comes from a long line of competitive swimmers. And this is his summer to prove his own prowess on an elite invitational team, even if he is the weakest link. He hopes to carry the Sosa torch in a competition against the infamous Sea Wolves.

But recently, he's been haunted by a puzzling dream. One where he sees his dead sister, Cali, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by dolphins. When he wakes, it's hard to hold back the dam of feeling he's been working so hard to contain the past two years. But he must, because feeling will mess with his race times.

Then one day, while surfing with a friend, Kai encounters a mysterious sea creature as big as he, with long black hair and a fluked tail, that insistently pokes his board. Kai is sure his mind and the sea are playing tricks, until the sea creature finds Kai twice more. When a school assignment about the weather phenomenon El Niño leads him to the local library-and a book Cali had checked out multiple times, about dolphins and a mythic Amazonian queen who once ruled over an underwater realm-Kai's grip on reality begins to fissure. What are the sea creature and the book trying to tell him? In a climactic head-to-head faceoff with the Sea Wolves, everything becomes clear as Kai tests his strength, unleashes the dam, and discovers that sometimes the only way to hold onto what we love is to let it go. 

I really enjoyed the folk lore in this story. I appreciated the struggles the characters faced with the death of a sister and daughter.

I was a bit confused in one area, but after reading the next part, it all became clear. Just in case you read and wonder, is this happening?

Relatable characters since you can see where each of them are coming from and why they react the way they do. The swim training, surfing, and the ocean and what’s beneath are characters in the story, too.

There’s mystery and a journey with a goal propelling Kai to the end.

There are many ways to cope with death, and this highlights how different people react and deal.

My favorite book of Pam Muñoz Ryan is The Dreamer.

Two Perfect Picture Books!

Millie Fleur Saves the Night, by Christy Mandin

From the publisher, Scholastic Press: available July 1, 2025

Garden Glen was afraid of the dark.

Each night when the sun went down, all the lights in town turned on. The houses shone like the noon sun. Every house except for MIllie Fleur La Fae's, of course.

Millie Fleur knows there are enchanting things that can only be glimpsed in the dark. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found.

Determined to welcome the dark back to town, Millie Fleur bakes delicious moon pies and plants a sweet-smelling moon garden. But before the nighttime creatures will return, Millie Fleur must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights. 

I don’t think I can say enough about Millie Fleur. Loved the first book, Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, and loved this one, too.

She’s brave, inspiring, smart and hopeful – she’s a teacher in her community.

The illustrations are beautiful, creative, and amusing.

It reminds me a bit of the animated film, Monsters, Inc. where we can see how easy it is to be afraid of the dark, but getting to know the monsters and that they aren’t that scary, allows us to be more knowledgeable and less afraid. I wish I could buy all those plants – from both books.

Learning more about night creatures made me feel a bit badly about my solar yard lights, even though I love them so. I hope they’re not too bright for the night bugs and animals.

We can all learn a thing or two from Millie and you don’t even know she’s doing it. So fun! And, I heard there’s a book three on the way!

Little Big Man by Varian Johnson, Reggie Brown (illustrator)

From the publisher, Scholastic Press: available May 6, 2025

Elijah can't wait to take his brand-new kite for its first flight! But Daddy comes home with some bad news... he has to work this weekend. After all, a new baby means extra work for everyone. Can Elijah step up and be a little big man at home while Daddy's gone?

Beloved children's book author, Varian Johnson, stresses the importance of stepping up and helping out... and making sure to have time to play at the end of the day

This beautiful book shows a strong role model in both father and son, and a family story.

Elijah learns what growing up and being responsible means. Elijah is allowed to figure out what that means to him and how it manifests in his work. Elijah also sees how to have fun and the importance of that and having family time.

The father’s storyline and Elijah’s storyline parallel each other. They work hard and then they can play hard. Thoughtful and empowering and thoroughly adorable, if a book could be a hug, I think this might be it.