Esi the Brave (Who Was Not Afraid of Anything)

★ "[A] dazzling, triumphant picture book . . . Mensah's text zigs and zags across the pages . . .  Figueroa's watercolor and digital illustrations move with the text, winding across double-page spreads, giving the art a sense of tumbling movement. The monsters are wildly inventive, and Figueroa's palette is clearly inspired by Mensah's description of the 'very colorful clothes' worn to the festival. This cinematic picture book about conquering fear is sure to be a favorite read aloud." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

★ "Esi conjures up visions that are simultaneously frightful, dynamic, and all-around enchanting—a wonderful reflection of how very young children often see the world. Mensah’s onomatopoeia-laced narrative is a delight, while Figueroa relies on full-page spreads festooned with arresting West African–inspired patterns, as well as the clever use of negative space, dramatic angles, and vignettes. A monstrously good time." —Kirkus, starred review

"Sensate rhymes by Mensah, making his children’s debut, offer musicality, while brightly patterned illustrations from Figueroa express big emotions in this tale of courage and culture." —Publishers Weekly

"The Kakamotobi Festival is brought to life by gorgeously textured digital illustrations, exploding with patterns and vibrant, jewel-toned hues. Words swoop across pages, following both Esi’s emotions and theshapes of the images themselves, and Figueroa’s deft use of space . . . Though Esi is scared, the drawings are never scary and mix delightfully with the story’s light use of rhyme and alliteration, making for a joyful readaloud with lots of room for stomping, dancing, and monster-face-making." —BCCB

"[R]ich with vocabulary that evokes the symphony of festival sounds. Onomatopoeic and rhyming words appear in all caps . . . Esi has natural hair and an expressive face . . . Artwork is colorful and chaotic, but clear, fun, and enjoyable as befitting a bustling street festival." —School Library Journal