Blancaflor, The Hero with Secret Powers: A Folktale from Latin America

A fun updated, graphic version of a classic folktale. This is a step up from Disney's sanitized versions of stories, as Blancflor is shown preparing to commit suicide, so it could be a bit much for some younger readers. Of course, all's well that ends well, with Blancaflor shown as a strong woman who is well-appreciated by her prince. I loved that Spiegelman included extensive background material but it's not essential for readers' enjoyment of the tale.

I am always intrigued by the way folk and fairy tales wend their way through different cultures. There is a lot of information provided at the beginning and end of the book about the origin of the tale and also the importance that telling and re-telling these tales holds in any culture. And I liked that the authors encouraged readers to create new stories or build upon older, timeless tales.
Blancaflor is a girl with magical powers. Her father is an ogre. I think the mother is possibly a witch since she casts a spell at one point in the story - and the two sisters are annoying and jealous. The father has struck a dishonest deal with a prince. When the prince quite literally lands in her lap, Blancaflor falls in love with him and sets out to use her powers to save him from her father - and ultimately marry the prince who while naively sweet is also rather obtuse.
Since readers were encouraged by the author to make the story their own -- I would have Blancaflor use her powers to save the prince (and really the whole kingdom since her evil father would have taken over if the prince had lost the bet) and then rule the kingdom herself. Or do whatever she truly wanted to do.
As a bit of a trigger warning - it seemed to me that she ponders killing herself with a magic sword when she thinks she has lost the prince. The author states she was trying to show how the work that women do is often overlooked and taken for granted but depicting Blancaflor so devastated over the loss of the handsome prince doesn't quite fit that theme. I would have liked a different way of resolving that bit of the story. But Blancaflor does stand up against the evil intentions of her parents so that is a plus! Another plus - it's a graphic novel!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a digital ARC of the book!

Blanaflor, a retelling of a Latin American folktale, was an intriguing story of prince who is saved by a girl with magical powers. Apparently, there are different versions across Latin America. If it was specified which country or region this version came from, I missed it.

Towards the end, Blanaflor is seen about to commit suicide before she is stopped by the prince. This could be disturbing to some students, but is no less graphic than the Grimm fairytales. I would recommend this book more for my older students.

I will order this book for my library because I am always searching for folktales from around the world. The graphic novel format makes it even more appealing.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.