Skeletina and the In-Between World (Skeletina and the In-Between World #1)
by Susie Jaramillo (Author) Susie Jaramillo (Illustrator)
With a focus on nightmares, anxiety, and bravery, this series opener is perfect for fans of the hit movies Coco, Coraline, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Slumberland.
Welcome to the in-between world, where the living go when they are fast asleep and where ghosts hang out when they have unfinished business. Visitors who come to the in-between world can confront their fears or see a loved one who has recently left the world of the living.
Luckily, anyone who visits the in-between world can face their fears and anxieties with friends at their side. In the in-between world, anything is possible, especially Skeletina, a fun-loving, fearless little girl who lives in there. Every day, Skeletina visits her friends, who include monsters, creatures, ghosts, and more. You can meet friends like Senor Tic Toc, who knows everything about the in-between world, or Spider Grandma, who teaches Skeletina the power of creativity.
Skeletina also loves to help others, like her friend Sombras, who is very shy. Sometimes, she even helps children who visit the in-between world in their sleep. She shows them how not to be afraid and how love lives on, even when someone has passed away. No matter the problem, Skeletina is there to help!
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School Library Journal
Skeletina is a self-sufficient skeleton girl who lives in the in-between: a place of the dreams of sleeping children, the realm of the deceased with unfinished business, and home to all sorts of weird creatures and manifestations. "But, nothing scares Skeletina, although many of the odd creatures in the in-between world have definitely tried! And speaking of odd creatures, some of them are even her best friends." Skeletina is meant to be seen as a guide or comforting character for children to seek out when they are in the in-between, which is presented not as a scary place, but one where they can have their own agency. However, this idea barely comes through in the disorganized text, which doesn't immediately place Skeletina in the role of guide. Overuse of run-on sentences create a disjointed feel: "She knows that when she fears that someone is trying to sneak into her house, it is usually the shadow Creepers, who is just lonely and needs attention. Skeletina plays music for him and his eyes grow wide in surprise as he listens. Then he usually smiles and disappears as fast as he comes." Asibikaashi or Spider Woman, here presented as Skeletina's Spider Grandma, inspires the child to create beautiful webs—dream catchers. Spider Grandma embodies a sort of Native wise-woman stereotype, wearing fringed moccasins, chunky rings, bracelets, and a feathered dream catcher necklace. VERDICT Charming pen-and-ink illustrations are comic, but can't rescue the story from veering from a celebration of Latinx culture into appropriation of the Ojibwe. Not recommended for purchase.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Lib., MN
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
"Susie Jaramillo's artwork is captivating, with details, bold colors, and intricate use of delicate grays and blacks that result in an ethereal look." - Kirkus
"Bursting with color and an emphasis on the fact that the world in-between can be shaped and molded however the dreamer wishes. A playful story full of Latinx cultural touchstones." - Booklist "Engaging, energetic, illustrations draw in young readers with kindness and empathy. . . Skeletina and the In-Between World is a wonderful way to start conversations about managing anxiety, missing people we care about, and other things that weigh on young kids' minds." - Common Sense Media, A Common Sense Selection for Books for Families "An excellent tool to help children struggling with nightmares and fear." - YA and Kids Book Central"I love how Skeletina and the In-Between World is inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead, but most importantly that I can read this book to my daughter and it will not only entertain and delight, but also inspire conversations about our fears and how to face them." - Eugenio Derbez, Actor, Director and Producer, 3Pas Studios "There's something deeply comforting about being led by the hand through the weird, wild, and downright bizarre by a pigtailed skeleton girl. I can think of no better book upon whom to bestow the phrase 'otherworldly charm'. Tim Burton-meets-Coco, and it's all thanks to the in-between world's most charming little skeleton." - Betsy Bird "I absolutely love how Susie merges the In-Between World and the seemingly scary and unfamiliar to inspire children (and us adults too!) to find magic and comfort in the things we may not understand." - Valery Ortiz, Actress, Disney's Gabby Duran and the Unsittables
"Kids and parents will be mesmerized by the beautiful characters and brilliant colors that pop off the page. And the storyline will resonate with both children and caregivers who are exploring the world through different cultures and perspectives of childhood. A must read for all families and kids." - Anna Maria Chavez, Former CEO, Girl Scouts of America "Susie Jaramillo has created such a cinematic universe—uniquely rendered but universally appealing. It's magical and delightful and with so much substance as well. Any kid will love to explore this world and any parent should feel great about the lessons it's teaching them about facing their fears." - Ben Odell, Film & TV Producer, 3pas Studios "With vibrant illustrations, Skeletina and the In-Between World brings children to a whimsical place where they can allay their fears and anxieties alongside a playful new friend, Skeletina. The characters and storylines in the easy-to-digest prose are very relatable and translate across cultures. This is a gentle read that will surely become a must-have." —Eugenia Miranda Richman, Editor-in-Chief, SheKnows
Susie Jaramillo is an artist, a storyteller, an entrepreneur, and a mom. An eternal student of cultures from around the world, she was born in Venezuela and raised between Caracas and Florida. At seventeen, she moved to New York City to study art at Pratt Institute, where she honed her crafts in painting and printmaking. She now resides in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
As a kid, she had nightmares frequently until she discovered that she was in control of her dreams. Susie created Skeletina to empower children like her to take control of their fears and be brave.JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV010000 - Juvenile Fiction | Bedtime & Dreams
JUV058000 - Juvenile Fiction | Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
JUV011030 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Hispanic & Latino
JUV069000 - Juvenile Fiction | Ghost Stories
Picture books
Ghost stories
Fear
Helpfulness
Spirits
Helping behavior
