Night Stories: Folktales from Latin America

A Bank Street Best Book 2025

“On the cover of NIGHT STORIES: Folktales From Latin America…by the Argentine cartoonist Ricardo Liniers Siri, known as Liniers, the ‘O’ in the title is cleverly replaced by a moon with a furrowed brow. Once an open vowel, once a hole in the word ‘stories,’ the worried moon shines on a brother and sister as they tell each other Latin American folk tales from a bunk bed set against a starry sky…The book’s introduction, by David Bowles, touches on the Aztecs’ and other Nahua people’s creation myths, reminding us that sometimes it takes five tries to get a world right. And a treasure trove of back matter in turn explains the origins of Liniers’s three ‘night stories.’ —The New York Times

“An appealing dose of humor, accentuated by Liniers’ artwork, full of intricate linework and muted colors […] spine-tingling, enlightening, and fun.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Three frightful folk tales…are brought to life using a whimsical cartoon style that will engage and encourage children to learn about these rich and dynamic folk tales.” —School Library Journal

“[…] Delicate ink and watercolor scenes accompany humorous dialogue and text (“The monkey had very little maritime experience”), showcasing the enduring power of folktales and whetting readers’ appetites for further tellings.” — Publishers Weekly

“Creatively showcases the importance and power of telling and passing stories through generations via oral, textual, and visual narratives.” — Horn Book Magazine

“He draws funny!” — Jeff Smith, Bone
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​“Liniers’ comics are funny and fanciful and whimsical and philosophical in the best sense.” — Matt Groening, The Simpsons