Looking for a Jumbie by Amber Ren, Tracey Baptiste
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 006297081X
Pages: 32
Genres: Folklore
Goodreads

What is a Jumbie you may ask? In Caribbean folklore it is a nocturnal creature that comes out at night when the moon is bright.   Mama says they are only in stories, but Nya does not believe this and is determined to find one!  Out of bed and into the moonlit night she sneaks out to find it.  Hopefully a scary one!  Along her journey into the woods, she encounters many fantastic creatures of lore such as – a small, large mouthed, backward footed Douen, a sharp toothed, chain wearing, furry Lagahoo and a bright as a flame skinned Soucouyants.  They all join in her adventure to find the Jumbie.  As the night turns to dawn the mystical Jumbie is never found.  A surprised Mama awakes to find the lot of creatures and Nya in a heap, fast asleep in the front yard.  Because sometimes stories cannot be believed.

This is a brightly illustrated book that exposes the reader to many friendly Caribbean monsters. It is fun book that all children would enjoy and learn about another culture’s folklore.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook