Common Sense Media Review
By Florencia Orlandoni
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vibrant tale of unconditional love in lush fantasy world.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Ten-year-old LOLA lives in a one-of-a-kind home in Mexico City built around a magical tree that hosts color-changing birds and blooms different flowers each season. While her family marvels at the tree's wonders, only Lola can see the "chaneques": elf-like creatures from Mexican folklore tasked with guarding nature. When a mysterious illness begins spreading through their beloved garden and reaches her brother Alex, Lola teams up with a chaneque named Cualli to find a cure. Their journey takes them deep into the tree's roots, leading to the enchanted kingdom of Floresta, where "hadas" (fairies), chaneques, and "colibrÃes" (bird people) guide them through a world brimming with magic. As they navigate this realm, Lola must uncover the hidden truth behind the illness threatening both Alex and Floresta.
Is It Any Good?
A rich, enchanting fantasy, Lola weaves elements of Mexican folklore into everyday life. There are, at times, layers of beautiful and meaningful elements, which may require close reading to fully understand, but the effort is rewarded as the story builds to a powerful and poignant ending. Lola and Alex's sibling bond is moving and unforgettable. With courage and depth, this book offers profound insights into the connections between beauty and impermanence, nature and death, and love and grief.
Despite these themes being the heart of the narrative, the book approaches them with a gentle, kid-friendly touch, encouraging readers to be curious and imaginative. Floresta is a lushly imagined, though sometimes complex, world that readers may get lost in, but in the end, Lola's story offers readers a safe, fantastical space to reflect on some of life's most enduring questions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Lola's curiosity about the natural world. What parts of nature do you find beautiful? What in the natural world are you most curious about?
What parts of nature do you think are not so beautiful, maybe even bad or unfair? Can natural things be perfect and beautiful forever? What do you think would happen if beautiful things were always the same?
Talk about the way the author explores grief and depression. What did you learn about moving forward after a tragic event? How could you support a friend who's grieving?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 10, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , Pura Belpré Awards and Honors
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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