Esqueleanora la Descompositora

by Emily Ettlinger, Juan Naranjo (Translator)

Esqueleanora es una esqueleta a quien le gusta la música más que nada en la vida. Vive en Villa Féretro, un pueblo donde todo el mundo es muy asustadizo… y ella lo sabe de sobra: ¡cada vez que la pobre intenta tocar algo, todo el mundo huye despavorido! Da igual con qué instrumento lo intente: violín, órgano, huesófono… todo lo que toca suena fatal, y todo el mundo acaba siempre dejándola solita.Cómo va a entrar en la banda de música si sigue así? ¿Qué puede hacer Esqueleanora para convencer a la maestra de música del pueblo que está hecha para tocar?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Music, Comics, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 8, 2023

Reviews

[Lucía Cafeína · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Muy gracioso y original.

[Katey Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like a 4 for me personally, but the puns and the incredible art earn it an extra star.

[Sarah BT]

A charming graphic novel full of puns.

[Katherine Van Halst · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scariest thing about teaching private music lessons is that the majority of people who have vowed to never touch music again, have done so because of an experience they had with a music teacher. This story follows a skeleton as she tries to impress a very good music teacher, scares the entire town, swears off music, and then is eventually recruited by the teacher for the town's festival band. They talk about what it means to play music-- for others and for yourself-- and through music, Skeleanor is able to connect with the town and share her favorite songs.
This book was so cute, and I recommend it soso much. Great for ages maybe 8-12 I think, but a wonderful feel-good read for anyone.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 year old LOVED this. She’s always been into all things spooky, so that a music loving skeleton is just trying her best to join a village music group was perfect. Really cute, highly recommend for any kid obsessed with Nightmare Before Christmas.

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was adorable! Hope skealenor comes back for more musical adventures!

[Camryn Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the art style! Calm and soft. A skeleton playing music? Interesting! I kinda thought it gonna be like a night of the living dead kinda of thing but other than that good 👍🏾

[star_fire13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super cute! It'd probably be a good entry into a child's first comic/graphic novel, as it was really easy to follow.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's graphic novel. Skeleanor the skeleton lives with her bat friend Batima on the outskirts of a village. She loves music and wants to play in the town's music festival. However, she is a skeleton, a nocturnal one at that, so finding a chance to prove herself is difficult. After many nights of trying out different instruments, the music teacher finally catches up to her and they work something out. Though Skeleanor doesn't quite have musical finesse, she does have enthusiasm and persistence.

This story was cute, not at all creepy despite the skeleton main character. In fact the only reason the character is a skeleton seems to be so they can make the joke: "you sound so bad that the whole town has to hide away when you start playing. You're practically DEcomposing the music!" I appreciate the exposure to some nontraditional instruments and the message to keep trying, but didn't love this story.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale of practice makes perfect is clever, fun, with cute puns. The illustrations are lovely and quite silly in a sweet and realistic in a cartooney way.

Skeleanor (a skeleton) wants to play an instrument, and wants to play in the festival the village is having soon. But the reality is, she is a skeleton, and the village are humans and the two don’t mix easily. At long last the misunderstandings get resolved and Skeleanor discovers what it means to be a real musician, and human friends are cool.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skeleanor's dream is to play in the town band, but every time she tries to draw them in with her music, the townsfolk shut their windows, scream, or take off. (Sometimes with a runaway organ on their tail!) Skeleanor's bat best friend tries to console her, and finally, the music teacher catches up and fills her in on a very important detail about the instruments Skeleanor has been playing around town... With the problem solved, will she finally have her big break? Just right for music lovers in grades 1-4.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skeleanor is a skeleton who just loves music. She loves listening to the townspeople play their instruments. She happens upon a flyer for the Summershine festival and gets so excited because she knows music is going to be happening and maybe she can audition for a spot in the band! Except... it doesn't go as she plans. The townspeople are scared of her. Can Skeleanor get the townspeople to not be scared so she can join the band?

This was a really cute and funny story with lots of puns and cute art. I loved the Skeleanor's bat friend, Batima, who lived in the cemetery with her. There's a glossary at the end to introduce musical instruments to new readers.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skeleanor longs to join a band, but the townspeople seem frightened by her music. Each day she tries a different instrument with no luck. Will she ever be able to play in the town band?

Simple comic book without too many pages. Skeleanor is a winning protagonist who is more cute than creepy. Young musicians who are struggling to be patient enough to learn a new instrument will see themselves in Skeleanor.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

This was cute and fun. I'm not sure how much the main character being a Skeleton was really necessary to tell the main message of this book but it worked I guess. This was a celebration of music and people who create it. Skeleanor likes to create music but has never performed for others. When she tries, everyone runs away screaming, until the town's music teacher steps in.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilariously entertaining, but also contains a powerful, self-esteem building message of perseverance. Skeleanor is such a lovable character. I found myself rooting for her from beginning to end, and I was not disappointed. My grandchildren ask me to read this book to them over and over. Between the feel good vibes and the clever word play and chuckles, this book is a win win.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about practice, and figuring out that sometimes your friends can give you a hand (and if you're a skeleton a knee, too). Clever, fun and silly illustrations are colorful and allow you to dance along.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A showstopping debut from author and illustrator Emily Ettlinger! A beautiful series of watercolor and ink paintings depicting the musical journey of Skeleanor in a world of puns and fun! Highly recommend for readers 5+, with extra clever puns woven in for young adult and adult readers. Brava!

[Jared Scharf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not recommend Skeleanor more highly! The puns were dead on, the graphics skullfully rendered, and the messages hit great notes. The themes made me wish I could’ve met Skeleanor when I was a kid — I would’ve been inspired to continue my musical pursuits.

[Flynn O'Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book on a recommendation from a friend. Our two younger children love it; they’ve made us read it before bed almost every night for the last two weeks. Still trying to figure out how I’m going to get my hands on a Xylobone for my son…

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skelton Eleanor just wants to play music and longs to join the town band. Every time she tries to play for the townspeople, they run away scared. With the help of Ms. Ratsimizivia, the music teacher, Eleanor finds her instrument. Delightful graphic novel that musicians will especially love.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

A very cute story that emphasizes persistence and teamwork. Skeleanor has big dreams of playing in the town band but can’t quite get them to notice her playing. Once they do, they can’t quite agree on how to play. But things work out, as they usually do.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute. Quick read. I love how Skeleanor's gravestone opens and shuts like a door. They really have nothing to do with each other, but the scene at the very end reminds me of the scene at the end of No One Willk Save You and it made me shudder a lil.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel was a quick read about a skeleton who wants to join a band, but she keeps scaring people. I don't know how old Skeleanor is but the behavior seemed pretty young. This was perfectly appropriate, just kind of meh.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt and inspired work about keeping true to oneself while keeping an open mind to learn.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and funny book! Absolutely loved the illustrations. And the joy and love of music gave me Coco vibes! Such a great read.

[Gabriela Epstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the honor of reading this early on and have been in love with it since. Vibrant artwork, punny humor and lots of heart-- what more could you want from a book?

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! The characters are darling and quirky, the text is witty, the drawings are beautiful, the message is meaningful. So good.

[Steph Sansiveri ☀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, funny, & punny read! The illustrations are mind bone-ingly colorful and detailed, and kept me excited to turn each page. Lots of little laughs from both me & my kids - highly recommend!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very wholesome and cute, a really easy rea.

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

super cute and upbeat, lots of fun with the puns and illustrations. great lesson.