The Wild Ones

Wild Oaks residents Valentina and her friends Andy, Jasmine, and Xander bond over their love of macabre, eerie, and hopefully friendly creepy-crawly creatures, particularly the kind found in their local library's cryptozoology section. Legend says there's a monster living in the woods outside of town, though no one has ever seen it. But when a property development group arrives and threatens their neighborhood, Valentina and company seek to recruit the mysterious monster, hoping that it will defend them and put a stop to the gentrifying newcomers. Educational without being didactic and reminiscent of 1980s ensemble adventure films, this amusing graphic novel by the creators of Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! covers serious topics via a breezy, upbeat narrative. Lacera's dynamic, retro-style art renders the group's tween antics and their palpable rapport, as well as four monsters from different cultures around the world, including the Banshee, La Tunda, the Loogaroo, and the Vetal, each of which hails from the characters' respective ethnic backgrounds ("I'm positive the monster is La Tunda! She's Colombian. Just like me!" Valentina says.) Ages 5-10. Agent: John Cusick, Folio Literary. (Apr.)

"ARE YOU READY?! This international crew of dazzling monsters are here to SMACK DOWN greed and sucker punch injustice." — Adam Rex, New York Times Bestselling Author and Illustrator

"This brief but exciting story (simultaneously published in Spanish) features dynamic artwork nicely in sync with the energetic story. Playful monster fun with a satisfying amount of heart." — Booklist

"This book is like an old comic book that I would keep rolled up in my back pocket to copy drawings from because they're so cool to look at. The Wild Ones is shock-full of great imagery and ideas!" — Raúl the Third, New York Times bestselling and Pura Belpre Award-winning author-illustrator of the World of Vamos! books

"While paying homage to The Goonies, Scooby Doo , and classic monster comics—Megan and Jorge Lacera have created a wholly original tale filled with lovable diverse characters, told in a fresh graphic picture book format. The Wild Ones is pure spooky fun served up with the dynamic Lacera duo's signature heart, humor, and sabor." — Pura Belpré Honor Winning Author Anika Aldamuy Denise and Caldecott Honor Winner Christopher Denise

"The expressive illustrations, silly antics and narratives of friendship will delight young picture book readers. The hilarious writing, exciting narrative, detailed illustrations, different cultures represented and graphic novel elements will grab those more experienced readers." — Gaia Cornwall, author-illustrator of Jabari Jumps

"Reminiscent of 1980s ensemble adventure films, this amusing graphic novel by the creators of Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! covers serious topics via a breezy, upbeat narrative. Lacera's dynamic, retro-style art renders the group's tween antics and their palpable rapport, as well as four monsters from different cultures around the world." — Publishers Weekly

"Full-color panels of charming digital illustrations make this an accessible graphic novel, and the main characters' enthusiasm results in a lighthearted tale interspersed with details about folklore. . . Wild monsters from diverse cultures lurk (and smirk) in this not-so-scary story of fighting for home." — Kirkus Reviews

"Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera's sophomore picture book, The Wild Ones, is as inclusive and endearing as their much-praised 2019 debut, Zombies Don't Eat Veggies...Jorge Lacera's brightly colored digital illustrations, featuring both panels and full-page spreads, are dynamic and energetic, keeping up the excitement and fast pace." — Shelf Awareness

"This stylized picture book adds some comic book flair to its story of four friends fighting to save their home." — Foreword Reviews