La Mala Suerte Is Following Me
Ana Siqueira, author
Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language elementary teacher and an award-winning Brazilian children’s author. Her books include Bella’s Recipe for Success and If Your Babysitter Is a Bruja. Besides writing, Ana loves to read, teach, and play with her Cuban-Brazilian-American grandchildren.
Read more about Ana.
Carlos Vélez Aguilera, illustrator
Carlos Vélez Aguilera is an award-winning illustrator from Mexico City, Mexico, who has a degree from the National University Autonomous of Mexico. He has illustrated more than twenty children's books, and he’s the author/illustrator of Salón Destino. Carlos has been recognized with two illustration awards from the International Children's and Youth Book Fair in Mexico.
Read more about Carlos.
- Coming soon!
Kirkus Reviews
Misfortune follows when La Mala Suerte comes into Miguel’s life.
Once the “luckiest boy in town,” Miguel invites La Mala Suerte by opening his umbrella inside the house. Abuelita cautions Miguel that Mrs. Bad Luck—cheekily depicted here as a grinning shadow—is “invisible and follows you wherever you go.” The young soccer player brushes off her warning but subsequently slips and falls as he attempts to outrun his bad luck. Uh-oh. And at school, La Mala Suerte trips him up during a math exam and fútbol practice. ¡Ay, no! Miguel tries everything to get rid of his bad luck before his upcoming soccer tournament, including sweeping away the bad luck, seeking a four-leaf clover, and using his tía’s “existential” oils. Nothing works until Mami encourages him to make his own luck. Can it really be that easy? Written in first person from Miguel’s perspective, Siqueira’s humorous take on superstitions balances zaniness and sincerity with ease, complemented by Aguilera’s vibrant, expressive artwork. The text incorporates Spanish words throughout. An appendix on common superstitions and their origins in different countries provides intriguing background information, with a brief activity and research prompt. Miguel and his family are brown-skinned and Latine, while secondary characters are racially diverse.
Good, clean superstitious fun. (glossary)
English Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-454-6
Spanish Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-455-3
Ages: 3-7
Page count: 32
8 x 10
Publication date: March 12, 2024