PreS-Gr 2— Take a walk down memory lane as Toro and Friends reminisce about how they met and became such a great team. As children, they would chase and bicker with one another, until they joined Ricky Rat&3;n's School of Lucha. There, the great luchador Ricky Rat&3;n taught them various exercises to build up their strength as well as how to focus and work hard toward their goals. Each member of the team had a special skill, from Lizarda's long sticky tongue to Toro's super charge and Croak's ability to bounce his body. When Ricky Rat&3;n gives them their final assignment—to defeat him in a lucha—the friends immediately jump in, but everyone is so busy working on their own that they fail to defeat their teacher. It is only when they work as a team that they finally win. Readers will dive right into the vibrant comic book—style world of Toro and friends, taking in even the smallest details. Clear outlines, lively pastel colors and easy-to-read text—which identifies Spanish sentences in purple font—provide an atmosphere full of action. VERDICT A dynamic story for fans of "Toro and Friends," the Vamos world, and lucha libre, this is an excellent addition to early reader collections for children.— Selenia Paz

Best-selling, award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third presents another humorous and fun early reader, this time flashing back to wrestler El Toro (The Bull) and his friends' adventures in their youth when they learned to become luchadores. This bilingual book is filled with vibrant art that brings to life cultural references from the creator's Mexican American experience, inspired by his own childhood in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. As El Toro and his friends reminisce, they are reminded that it wasn't always an easy path to stardom in wrestling. The story follows their time at famed luchador Ricky Raton's School of Lucha as they built friendships and overcame challenges together. As they embark on their path to success, they realize that they are most powerful when they work together as a team. This book is perfect for fans of colorful comics, character designs, special effects, and onomatopoeia, with every page active and full of life. There's plenty of fun luchador love to go around here.

Find out how El Toro and his friends became "¡un equipo maravilloso!"The ragtag team of luchadores first meet as rambunctious kids-untrained and unfocused-heading to Ricky Ratón's School of Lucha for one purpose: "to learn how to WRESTLE!" Under the tutelage of the muscular Ricky Ratón and his chicken sidekick, the real training for El Toro and his friends begins. The luchadores-in-training learn many, many skills, including acrobatics, discipline, and patience. Best of all, they each hone "their very own special move!" In a series of humorous panels that mimic a training montage, readers see the cast of anthropomorphized animals in action, with zany moves that seem to bounce off the page. Unitalicized words and phrases in Spanish pop up among the predominantly English text to echo certain lines and action words, providing translations that slip in with ease. After the stupendous training, a proud Ricky Ratón reveals one final surprise test: The young luchadores must beat their maestro in a battle. One by one, El Toro and his friends lose against their powerful teacher until the luchadores-in-training realize that teaming up brings its own rewards. Author/illustrator Raúl the Third and colorist Bay's latest retains the series' use of short, punchy sentences, kaleidoscopic artwork, and comic book–style panels and speech bubbles; this one is sure to be a can't-miss read-aloud. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A visual feast that packs a punch. (Early reader. 4-7)