We Became Jaguars
Colorful, imaginative adventure blends reality and fantasy.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that We Became Jaguars, by Dave Eggers, uses bold colors and engaging storytelling to blend dreams and reality in the imaginative adventures of a grandma and her grandchild. The story moves between reality and fantasy, as the grandma he's met once comes to stay with him and they become jaguars. Young readers will enjoy the child's subtly funny narration, and the illustrations -- big and colorful -- jump off the page.
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What's the Story?
WE BECAME JAGUARS, a picture book by Dave Eggers, blends reality and fantasy when a kid is left with a grandma they've only seen once before. With her bright red nail polish, long white hair, and fantastic imagination, she turns his world upside down. They become jaguars, playing, hunting, and traveling the world together. The illustrations by Woodrow White show the jaguar duo in forests, plains, mountains, and maybe even back home.
Is It Any Good?
Woodrow White's engaging illustrations upstage the playful words on the page, and young readers will dive into the fantasy adventure that keeps them close to and far away from home. We Became Jaguars takes a unique look at a grandma babysitting: When she first appears, her bright red nail polish and twinkle in her eye makes it clear this is not a typical night. As the kid's reality blends with the games they play with their grandma, young readers get to go on adventures that pop off the page in full color and action. And all readers can relate to the moment when the kid realizes it's time for school.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it would be like to be left with someone you barely remember, like the child in We Became Jaguars. How do you think the child felt before their adventures started?
What animal would you pretend to be if you were trying to feel brave?
What other books have you read about things that aren't real?
Book Details
- Author: Dave Eggers
- Illustrator: Woodrow White
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: March 30, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 8
- Number of pages: 44
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks
- Last updated: March 21, 2021
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