Droughts can be rough.

In this tale, we see Itzel go on a journey to see if she can find the snake to be able to get some rain for her Nana’s crops to sell at the market.

Along the way, she meets many different animals. (Some, I’ve never even heard of and couldn’t pronounce, by the wway...).
They are also in search of water too, for reasons of their own of course.

I loved how the culture of the Central American Indigenous people was very prevalent throughout the book.

It was interesting to learn about animals I have never heard about as well as how to annunciate them!


I thought it was cute, despite not personally agreeing with what was told at the beginning, but that’s just due to my own spiritual beliefs not matching with the story.

An absolutely outstanding book! Itzel and the Ocelot combines beautiful art, childhood wonder, science, tradition, culture, family, animals, and fun to make the perfect kids book. The art is so beautiful, this could also be comfortable in any art book collection.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* this was a great read! loved the artwork and the traditional story is great!

Itzel's village is in the middle of a drought and they badly need rain. Her nana tells her about the giant snake that would be awoken and bring the rains when they were needed, but the snake hasn't been seen for years. When things get really bad, Itzel decides she needs to set out and find the giant snake for herself. Along the way, she meets other creatures who also need the rain to survive, so they work together to find the giant snake. This is a beautifully told folk tale inspired by a traditional story from indigenous people in Central America. There are even words from the Nawat language, an Indigenous language that was almost extinct. Of course they find the giant snake and wake it up and the ocelet becomes Itzel's guardian spirit. My granddaughter listened to this story, but is a bit young to understand about folklore. This would be a wonderful story to use when teaching about folklore at a school around grade 3 (8 and up). There are a lot of lessons about persevering, helping others and of course about the environment. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. They show the jungle, the atmosphere, and the emotion. I definitely recommend this book for schools and public libraries.

An adorable little picture book! Would definitely buy for my future kid. I love seeing more and more Latinx culture in picture books.

A really good story and a great way to introduce new cultures to the young ones in your life !

I did feel like the graphics could have been a bit better - but that may be due to the ecopy .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is a pretty neat picture book. I love reading tales from other countries and learning through pictures and myths. This one has a fantastic vocabulary - with a glossary included at the end. A great way to introduce other cultures to young children.

This is a story in the tradition of many oral stories that are passed down. It was a story of belief and hope in the face of disbelief. The main character is trying to bring the rain back to her village. She goes into the jungle to try to find the giant snake who initiates the rainy season. As she explores the jungle she meets a variety of animals who talk to her and tell her the giant snake does not exist. She pushes on, perseveres and gives all of the animals hope. The artwork is beautiful and transports you into the world of Itzel. Word choice and images draw you into this world that is very different from our own. A wonderful book to use for SEL and perseverance.

This picture book is rather too advanced, but I think it would be a solid read aloud book for slightly older children. The artwork wasn't to my tastes, personally, but it was certainly colorful and cohesive.

A beautiful children's book based on folklore from El Salvador. During a drought, young girl Itzel tries to make the rain come. She befriends animals who help her. This was a fascinating story and I really liked the colorful illustrations. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. My thoughts are my own.

Itzel, a young girl living near the jungle, needs the rains to come so she can her Nana can water their crops and have enough to eat. Legend has it that a giant snake will bring the rains, but no one has seen it for a long time. Itzel heads off into the jungle in search for the giant snake and the rains it brings.

This beautifully illustrated tale with El Salvadorian roots, is a must read. The bright illustrations are reminiscent of the bright paints and pencils of childhood artwork, with lots of small details sure to delight readers young and old. Not only does this story highlight important indigenous heritage, but it is also just a lovely story of adventure. And course, who wouldn't love an ocelot to go on a journey with.

I would highly adding this delightful read to your library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the free eARC. I have read this book voluntarily and reviewed with my honest opinion.

A colorful story of an old Salvadorian legend that tells of a large snake responsible for the rains. A young girl and her nana (grandmother) await the rainy season, but when it doesn't come, Itzel must venture into the forest and find the snake creature that her nana told of her in stories. Along the way she meets with other native creatures of the region and they band together to find the legendary snake. The ending is a bit vague - did they or did they not find the snake to bring on the rains?

It's a story about sharing generational stories, building a strong connection to the earth, and in believing you can make a difference.

Itzel and the Ocelot is a children's book with layers. Based on a traditional Salvadoran story, this picture book follows Itzel on her journey to bring back the rain to save her nana's crops. Without rain, there would be nothing to eat. Inspired by the stories told by her nana, Itzel is sure she can find the giant snake, the bringer of the rainy season. She goes into the jungle at night, assembling an army of animals in search of water.

There are Nawat (one of El Salvador's original languages) and Spanish words sprinkled throughout the text. They are compiled in a glossary at the end of the book. This is a great way to discover new animals (for adults too). This little book highlights the importance of transmission, of stories passed on from one generation to the next. It is about having a deep connection with the natural world. Humans are just like the thirsty animals, dependent on the elements to survive.

The drawings are beautiful, rich in detail. There is a lot to take in with every page. Besides being a great introduction to climate change for little kids, it's a sweet story featuring a little brave girl.

This was a cute and interesting story with bright and colorful illustrations. The text was a little long, but would be good for older kids of picture book age.

Oh, I loved this story and the dreamy illustrations. I loved how the story integrated parts of the El Salvadorian culture, especially in the glossary and author's note at the end.

3.5 stars

Inspired by a traditional story, this book tells the story of Itzel, a young girl who lives with her grandmother.
This year there has been no rain, which means that the crops are in danger, and so armed by her grandmother's inspiring story about the origin of rain, Itzel goes on an adventure to search for the mystical creature that is connected to rain.

This story was sweet. I really loved the art style. It was so unique.
The only negative thing about the book is that I wanted it to be longer,

Thanks to Netalley and Kids Can Press for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I loved reading this! The unique cast of characters, such as a kinkajou and an ocelot, made it fun. Itzel was able to bring water to all by believing in herself. A cute short book.

One year the rainy season doesn't come and Itzel sets out to find the legendary water snake to ask for rain. On her journey through the jungle, she teams up with a talking ocelot.

What a great children's book that is a retelling of a traditional Salvadoran myth! Mexican myths are quite popular, so I'm always happy to read a story from a different Central/South American country. The writing is lyrical and the illustration style is really nice as well!

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

First off, this story is one of Salvadorian culture and myth. I enjoyed reading about indigenous folklore from Central America. I am familiar with the Nawat terms in this book, but if you're not familiar, the author provides a glossary. This book would make an excellent introduction to Salvadorian culture. Second, the illustrations are beautiful. Just beautiful. This tale is one of hope and reconnecting with nature. Two thumbs up! A must have for any library.

This is a great story to read with children. I read it to my first-grade students and they loved it. They were engaged in the story from the first page to the last. I can't wait to get a physical copy of this book. Many of my students wanted to read it during their free time.