Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules! (Lupe Lopez) (English with some Spanish)

Spanish-inflected onomatopoeia describing drumbeats jumps out of the text and makes a bold statement, just like Lupe herself. . . . . Cepeda's full-bleed spreads are immersive and inviting. . . An instructive story about balancing big dreams with real life, with a charming heroine to root for.

Drummer Lupe Lopez, a "real-life, Texas-size rock star" portrayed with brown skin, has a rebellious, big-ego persona--and discovers on the first day of kindergarten that it's the complete opposite of what classroom life requires. Ms. Quintanilla promptly lists rules for being a "school rock star": listen to your teacher, use your inside voice, and be a friend. Lupe's asked to refrain from wearing sunglasses inside, drumming anywhere she pleases, and shouting "¡Soy Famosa!" in the lunchroom. What's more, Charlton-Trujillo and Zietlow Miller reveal, her peers are not interested in being her personal fan club. In adhering to the rules, Lupe becomes more approachable, even learning that her classmates, who appreciate her talent, are eager to start a band. Employing Spanish words and onomatopoeia, and Cepeda's full-bleed, sunshine-bright cartoons, this story assures even the most exuberant kid that they can master the big social-emotional task of kindergarten: holding onto individuality while becoming part of a community. Ages 3-7. (June)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules is a fun, fresh addition to the back-to-school picture book canon. It's perfect for young readers who march to the beat of their own drums but may benefit from a gentle reminder to respect the needs of others around them. . . Lupe is the brainchild of a picture book dream team. . . Together, Charlton-Trujillo, Zietlow Miller and Cepeda have created an unforgettable heroine who will leap off the page and right onto your bookshelf.
—BookPage