The Wild Ones

By Megan Lacera, Jorge Lacera

From the creators of Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies! comes a heartwarming and epic tale of four best friends who turn to the mythical monsters from their respective cultures to help them save the only home they’ve ever known.

Front cover for Los Bravos by Megan Lacera; Jorge Lacera and Jorge Lacera
This book is also available in Spanish
Los Bravos
By Megan Lacera, Jorge Lacera

Description

Meet Valentina and her best friends Jasmine, Andy, and Xander. They’ve lived in the Wild Oaks apartment building their entire lives. They are the Wild Ones!

Legend has it, there’s a monstruo lurking deep in the forest of their town. No one has ever seen it, but the Wild Ones believe it exists. But something’s going on that’s more menacing than any monstruo–greedy developers want to tear down their home. The Wild Ones know what they have to do: find the monstruo and convince it to help them save their home. Come join the Wild Ones on this epic adventure!

About the Creators

Megan Lacera

Megan Lacera grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, with a book always in her hands. She became a writer and creator of characters and worlds for entertainment companies. After reading many stories to their son, Megan realized that few books reflected a family like theirs: multicultural, bilingual, funny, and imperfect. She decided to change that by writing her own stories, like her award-winning picture book debut Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! You can learn more about Megan and Studio Lacera at studiolacera.com.

Jorge Lacera
Jorge Lacera

Jorge Lacera is a children's book author and illustrator, and currently an art director for a video game studio. Originally born in Colombia, Jorge grew up in Florida drawing anywhere his parents would let him. After graduating with honors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Jorge worked as a visual development and concept artist. As a big fan of pop culture, comics, and horror movies, Jorge rarely saw Latino kids as the heroes or leads. He is committed to changing that. The family currently resides in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. You can find him online at studiolacera.com.

Reviews

  • "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 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

    - 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
  • "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
  • "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
  • "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
  • "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

Hardcover

  • ISBN 9780892394524
  • Publication Date Apr 09, 2024
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 7.625 in
  • Weight 1.75 lbs
  • Page Count 48
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Monsters
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Diversity & Multicultural
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Social Themes / Friendship
  • Themes Childhood Experiences and Memories, Conflict resolution, Courage, Cultural Diversity, Diversity, Fantasy, Fiction, Folktale / Folklore / Traditional Literature, Friendship, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Overcoming Obstacles
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 5 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades K - 5
  • Guided Reading R
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades K - 5
  • Reading Level 4
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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