Someone heard my cry for more fun books featuring Latinas and Cici was born. The story opens as Cici gives her dad a tearful goodbye. Then she runs out to school, refusing to talk to her mom and younger sister. She tries to keep up appearances, but her best friend Mia keeps talking about all the fun they’re going to have at her birthday party with her dad, at least until she overhears something more interesting. Cici is off-balance and miserable and it only gets worse when she discovers her Abuelita (along with Egon, her dog) have come to stay indefinitely. Then, to top matters off, the most popular girl in school is having a fantabulous birthday party with makeovers, a hot tub and more on the same day as Cici’s and….Cici’s best friend Mia wants to go!
Lonely and miserable, Cici wakes up the next morning and discovers she has WINGS! Cici has an interesting talk with her Abuelita and spends a day with her eyes opened to the world around her, seeing things she never thought possible. Everything climaxes at the party when Cici finally tells Mia the truth; her parents are getting a divorce and she didn’t know how to tell her. They have a fight, and Cici realizes that no matter how much she wants things to stay the same, there will be changes. Cici must make one final decision; will she keep her wings and choose to believe, or will she go in a different direction with Mia and the other girls?
Doerrfeld is a fairly prolific picture book author and illustrator, with a few early graphic novel credits under her belt as well. Most librarians know her for her picture books that combine cute with substance, such as Penny Loves Pink. Cici is no different; there is plenty of cute and sparkle, with pink and purple fairy wings, dazzling special effects, and cute clothes. But Cici is dealing with some serious changes in her life as well as some growing pains. Doerrfeld teams up with Tyler Page (Chicagoland Detective Agency) to deal with Cici’s struggles in a light but serious way, taking her emotions and trials seriously while adding a touch of magic with the fairy aspect.
While this first volume is light on plot and only hints at magic through most of the story, it’s a great set-up for a series and will draw readers in, wanting to know what happens next in Cici’s life and the consequences of her final choice. Kids who are going through transitions with family and friends will relate to Cici’s struggles and fairy fans will love the additional touches of magic. This is a great choice for kids who are not quite ready for Raina Telgemeier’s realistic stories or who still like a touch of magic and a healthy dose of humor with their comics, as well as some cute and sparkle.
Cici: A Fairy’s Tale, vol 1: Believe Your Eyes
by Cori Doerrfeld
Art by Page Tyler
ISBN: 9781467761529
Lerner Graphic Universe, 2016
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
