Discover your next great read with our book reviews
Cover of Tough Times El Toro & Friends A Graphic Novel (World of ¡Vamos!)

Tough Times El Toro & Friends A Graphic Novel (World of ¡Vamos!)

by Raúl the Third

Book Details

Publisher:Versify
Published:2021-04
Pages:51
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0063396289

Reading Info

Age Range:5-8

About This Book

"Outrageously creative! Kids will drink in every imaginative detail in El Toro's wild world!" --Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series From the Eisner Award Nominated World of ¡Vamos! series, Tough Times finds everyone's favorite young luchador fighting a losing streak in an action-packed, graphic-novel-style El Toro & Friends paper-over-board reader by New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third

Our Review

This early reader graphic novel follows a young luchador struggling through a losing streak, delivering an action-packed story about resilience that will captivate children just beginning their independent reading journey. Raúl the Third's vibrant illustrations burst with energy and cultural richness, creating an immersive visual experience that supports emerging readers through clear panel sequencing and expressive characters. The graphic novel format provides perfect scaffolding for young readers transitioning from picture books to more complex narratives, with speech bubbles and visual cues that make the story accessible and engaging.

What sets this friendship story apart is how it transforms wrestling matches into metaphors for everyday childhood challenges, making emotional resilience feel both exciting and achievable. Children who love high-energy adventures will connect with El Toro's journey through disappointment and determination, while the supportive friend group models positive relationship dynamics. This book particularly shines for readers drawn to visual storytelling and sports themes, offering valuable lessons about perseverance wrapped in dynamic artwork and cultural authenticity that will leave young readers feeling empowered.

Themes

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Juvenile Fiction