Chase, Kristen Mei

A stunning story of family history and heritage, identity, and the power of protest, this is highly recommended purchase for all collections.Danticat, Edwidge. Watch Out for Falling Iguanas. illus. by Rachel Moss. 32p. Black Sheep. Jul. 2025. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781636142326. Gr 1-3–Leila is happy to get to wear her winter coat, since she rarely needs it in Miami. Then, as she’s leaving for school, Leila is surprised when Grandma Issa tells her to “Watch out for falling iguanas.” As they drive, her mother suggests perhaps it’s chickens crossing the road or peacocks on the sidewalk that Leila is supposed to watch out for, but Leila knows what she heard. When she sees an iguana fall from a tree, no one else does. Papa asks if it was a cat and her friends tease her about thinking the sky is falling, per the story of Chicken Little. Leila is vindicated when her teacher takes the class for a walk to show them some fallen iguanas and to explain why they are on the ground. Moss’s realistic illustrations do an excellent job of depicting the substance of Danticat’s plentiful text, which is nicely integrated into the illustrations. VERDICT Use of thought/speech bubbles, the variety of half-page and full spreads, and highlights of a falling iguana make the illustrations a delight, especially with facts along the way.–Catherine Callegari