The cover art of this Puerto Rican Legend (1995) reminded me of Turquoise Boy: A Navajo Legend, which is why I picked it up. Both were illustrated by Charles Reasoner. Looks like his illustration style changed over time; his more recent work uses a brighter palette and commercial feel.
Retold by Jan Mike, I think a literal reading of this story may offend. The second sentence: "Now, Juan was a perfect fool, a simpleton, and a dunce." So, this book needs a perceptive adult to remind children that Juan was considered by his community to be a fool. It may need to be made explicit that this is a story about a person who has wisdom. When his brothers dismiss his encounter with the horse of seven colors, we wonder who is more foolish. Juan Bobo travels his own unique path in life. His earnest efforts bring him wealth and happiness. I especially like the final sentence of the story! This book includes a page with backstory about "the tradition of the wise fool" and about Puerto Rico.
Maria Gomez Torres has Puerto Rico . The Gifted Writer has The Caribbean Free Sampler. The Black Apple has Taino: Indigenous Puerto Rican Culture.
My Picture Book Talk lesson for this book is here.
