School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-One night three goats meet to discuss what to do about the chupacabra, who likes to eat goats. They decide to seek him out to scare him away. When they locate him, they discover he does have a second and third favorite thing to eat, but what will happen when he requests his absolute favorite thing? The goats don't want to find out! The three goats all have distinct personalities, each adding comic relief and fun wordplay. The ending is slightly surprising but satisfying. Narrator Luis Moreno gives each goat a unique voice, while the chupacabra has a delightfully gruff voice. A second track follows with page-turn signals. VERDICT A funny audiobook best enjoyed alongside the print book. ["This enjoyable monster book is perfect for storytime read-alouds or anytime a humorously spooky tale is in order": SLJ 1/17 review of the Nancy Paulsen book.]-Elizabeth -Elsbree, Krug Elementary School, Aurora, IL © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Nobleman (Boys of Steel) introduces a comic trio-three goats named Pep, Bumsie and Jayna-who debate the best way to handle the goat-eating chupacabra that lurks atop a nearby hill. Jayna, the bravest, proposes a pre-emptive attack: "There's lots of us and only one of him." Bumsie is anxiety-ridden: "W-what does the chupacabra eat for b-breakfast?" ("Goats," Jayna replies.) And Pep's a realist: "No veggies?" They meet the monster soon enough, and though they succeed in temporarily distracting it with other objects to devour (candelabras! cucarachas!), the moment of truth arrives as the chupacabra reveals its favorite food-which does indeed start with "goat." References to Latin American food and culture appear throughout ("The whole chimichanga," says the chupacabra, and Pep corrects, "You mean 'the whole enchilada' "), and debut illustrator Aranda's vibrant mixed-media artwork amplifies the book's cross-cultural brand of humor; her chupacabra, with its beady nose, spiky purple ears, and lovely flowered hide, wouldn't threaten a cat (although it throws a scary shadow). Readers will be sorry when this one is over. Ages 5-8. Illustrator's agent: Adriana Domínguez, Full Circle Literary. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.