Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Colorful, imaginative adventure blends reality and fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
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 :
- Illustrator : Woodrow White
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , Animals ( 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, Apple Books
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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