What do you think?
Rate this book
Catalina Incognito #1
Catalina Incognito
One Day at a Time meets Mindy Kim in this first book in a charming new chapter book series about Catalina Castaneda, a Mexican American girl with a magical sewing kit!
Catalina Castaneda is not persnickety, even though that’s what her parents and sister, Coco, like to think. Catalina just likes things the way she likes them—perfect.
That’s why it’s very hard to hide her disappointment when her glamorous Tía Abuela, a famous telenovela actress, gives her an old sewing kit for her eighth birthday. However, Catalina soon discovers the sewing kit isn’t as boring as she thinks—it’s magic, turning ordinary clothing into magical disguises.
When Tía Abuela’s most famous costume has rhinestones stolen from it where it’s being displayed at the local library, Catalina gets to work on creating the perfect disfraz (disguise) to track down the thief. But, as Tía Abuela warned her, the magic is only as strong as her stiches, and Catalina doesn’t always have the patience for practice...
Catalina Castaneda is not persnickety, even though that’s what her parents and sister, Coco, like to think. Catalina just likes things the way she likes them—perfect.
That’s why it’s very hard to hide her disappointment when her glamorous Tía Abuela, a famous telenovela actress, gives her an old sewing kit for her eighth birthday. However, Catalina soon discovers the sewing kit isn’t as boring as she thinks—it’s magic, turning ordinary clothing into magical disguises.
When Tía Abuela’s most famous costume has rhinestones stolen from it where it’s being displayed at the local library, Catalina gets to work on creating the perfect disfraz (disguise) to track down the thief. But, as Tía Abuela warned her, the magic is only as strong as her stiches, and Catalina doesn’t always have the patience for practice...
128 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2022
7 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 26, 2022
I don’t often delve into the chapter book realm. It’s a little too young for my teaching needs / reading tastes, but I do recognize that teachers need titles that reflect their students and I loved that these are available now to younger readers.
Catalina Incognito is the first in a series and is similarly fast-paced. Cat’s aunt, her Tia, gives her a magical sewing kit. To demonstrate its powers, she sews kitty cat ears onto Cat’s hoodie and when Cat wears it, that’s all people see – a stray cat.
As a teacher, I remember the “cat ears” craze from a decade or so ago, so I think this series will definitely resonate with younger readers.
The author, Jennifer Torres, has a pretty big backlist to explore, as well. Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Catalina Incognito is the first in a series and is similarly fast-paced. Cat’s aunt, her Tia, gives her a magical sewing kit. To demonstrate its powers, she sews kitty cat ears onto Cat’s hoodie and when Cat wears it, that’s all people see – a stray cat.
As a teacher, I remember the “cat ears” craze from a decade or so ago, so I think this series will definitely resonate with younger readers.
The author, Jennifer Torres, has a pretty big backlist to explore, as well. Enjoy!
Looking for more book suggestions for your classroom and students?
Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
December 6, 2025
Catalina is not a particular girl; she likes things exactly the way they are -perfect! So when she gets an unexpected gift from her Tia Abuela, she is disappointed to open a sewing kit. However, soon she will realize precisely how spectacular her gift really is. I like that this story is a beginner chapter book in a series. This is important for me because I want my students to get involved in a series the way they do online. I would like to have this in my classroom if I were to teach grades 1st through 4th.
November 3, 2025
I’m counting this because this was such a good read aloud for my class!
March 12, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this early MG chapter book that centers around Catalina and her family.
When Catalina receives a sewing kit from her Tia for her birthday, she is understandably underwhelmed. What kid wants a sewing kit?!? But she soon learns its power and her aunt shows her that her new kitty hoodie turns her into a cat! Using this to her advantage, Catalina goes undercover to try and solve the mystery of the missing gem.
This book is great for 2nd through 4th graders who are fans of the new Aven Green series. The chapters are the perfect length for those students who are newly fluent and looking for longer novels.
Thanks to the author, Simon and Schuster and Edelweiss for the early copy to review. I sure hope that Catalina becomes a series. I'd love to read more of her adventures!
When Catalina receives a sewing kit from her Tia for her birthday, she is understandably underwhelmed. What kid wants a sewing kit?!? But she soon learns its power and her aunt shows her that her new kitty hoodie turns her into a cat! Using this to her advantage, Catalina goes undercover to try and solve the mystery of the missing gem.
This book is great for 2nd through 4th graders who are fans of the new Aven Green series. The chapters are the perfect length for those students who are newly fluent and looking for longer novels.
Thanks to the author, Simon and Schuster and Edelweiss for the early copy to review. I sure hope that Catalina becomes a series. I'd love to read more of her adventures!
March 22, 2022
Book one in a new chapter book series, Catalina Incognito brings the fun and mystery promised to readers in a cute and charming story about family, trying something new, and embracing a bit of chaos.
It’s Catalina Castañeda’s eighth birthday and all through the house, change is stirring—which freaks Catalina out. You see, Catalina—or Cat as her family calls her to her newly-felt chagrin—is what the adults in her life have labeled as quisquillosa (persnickety). She would tell you that she just likes things in particular ways. In Catalina’s mind, closets should be well-organized and she should be able to pick up skateboard tricks by replicating them just so. However, everywhere she turns things are going awry. To make matters worse, her Tía Abuela, who she can always count on to give her the best gifts, has given her the most underwhelming sewing kit she’s ever seen. Thankfully, there’s more to the sewing kit than meets the eye, and under her Tía Abuela’s tutelage she is able to use the kit to create unique disguises. This gift couldn’t have better timing as Catalina stumbles upon a mystery where disguises could help her to save the day. Can she solve the mystery and show her family that she’s got it all figured out—persnickety or not?
As an adult who has lived with a reputation for being picky her whole life, I found myself relating to Catalina and other characters in Catalina Incognito a lot. I could also see the dynamics of Catalina’s role as the middle sibling and how her relationship with her older sister and younger brother played out. I believe that this story is a beautiful integration of family ties, learning how to set expectations for yourself, and following curiosity and imagination where it takes you.
Originally posted: https://blackgirlscreate.org/2022/03/...
It’s Catalina Castañeda’s eighth birthday and all through the house, change is stirring—which freaks Catalina out. You see, Catalina—or Cat as her family calls her to her newly-felt chagrin—is what the adults in her life have labeled as quisquillosa (persnickety). She would tell you that she just likes things in particular ways. In Catalina’s mind, closets should be well-organized and she should be able to pick up skateboard tricks by replicating them just so. However, everywhere she turns things are going awry. To make matters worse, her Tía Abuela, who she can always count on to give her the best gifts, has given her the most underwhelming sewing kit she’s ever seen. Thankfully, there’s more to the sewing kit than meets the eye, and under her Tía Abuela’s tutelage she is able to use the kit to create unique disguises. This gift couldn’t have better timing as Catalina stumbles upon a mystery where disguises could help her to save the day. Can she solve the mystery and show her family that she’s got it all figured out—persnickety or not?
As an adult who has lived with a reputation for being picky her whole life, I found myself relating to Catalina and other characters in Catalina Incognito a lot. I could also see the dynamics of Catalina’s role as the middle sibling and how her relationship with her older sister and younger brother played out. I believe that this story is a beautiful integration of family ties, learning how to set expectations for yourself, and following curiosity and imagination where it takes you.
Originally posted: https://blackgirlscreate.org/2022/03/...
March 9, 2022
I received a copy of this book in order to evaluate it for addition into my library’s collection.
This upcoming children’s chapter book allows readers to imagine what they might do if they had a magic sewing kit. There is also a mystery to solve. The book includes Spanish words and Hispanic culture. It would be reaffirming for children with this heritage. It also would be a good introduction to these for children unfamiliar with either. There are several lessons for children to learn about judging gifts as they seem and about trying even after initial failures.
At times it might be hard for younger readers to make connections with what is going on in the story. It might be also more some to discern the meaning of some of the Spanish words.
The art is good. Colored illustrations would help.
A paperback has a low price point, which makes this affordable to buy. Although many librarians, like myself, would prefer a vendor/third party created hardback if it were to be made available.
This upcoming children’s chapter book allows readers to imagine what they might do if they had a magic sewing kit. There is also a mystery to solve. The book includes Spanish words and Hispanic culture. It would be reaffirming for children with this heritage. It also would be a good introduction to these for children unfamiliar with either. There are several lessons for children to learn about judging gifts as they seem and about trying even after initial failures.
At times it might be hard for younger readers to make connections with what is going on in the story. It might be also more some to discern the meaning of some of the Spanish words.
The art is good. Colored illustrations would help.
A paperback has a low price point, which makes this affordable to buy. Although many librarians, like myself, would prefer a vendor/third party created hardback if it were to be made available.
October 1, 2022
A young girl is gifted a magic sewing kit that allows her to create fantastic disguises in order to solve a mystery (get out of my dreams, Jennifer Torres!)
Catalina is quisquillosa (a.k.a. persnickity), or as I like to call it, detail oriented. Her perfectionist tendencies sometimes get on her family's nerves, but her great aunt sees that this quality makes her the right recipient of her magic sewing kit. After Catalina receives the kit, she also gets a lesson in being okay with not being perfect when you are learning something new. It will take persistence and a willingness to make mistakes before she can make the most of her magic.
I would recommend this early chapter-book to voracious readers ages 5 and up looking for a new series (I'm thinking fans of Ivy&Bean or The Questioneers). It has a good amount of slice-of-life content with a sprinkling of magic.
Catalina is quisquillosa (a.k.a. persnickity), or as I like to call it, detail oriented. Her perfectionist tendencies sometimes get on her family's nerves, but her great aunt sees that this quality makes her the right recipient of her magic sewing kit. After Catalina receives the kit, she also gets a lesson in being okay with not being perfect when you are learning something new. It will take persistence and a willingness to make mistakes before she can make the most of her magic.
I would recommend this early chapter-book to voracious readers ages 5 and up looking for a new series (I'm thinking fans of Ivy&Bean or The Questioneers). It has a good amount of slice-of-life content with a sprinkling of magic.
May 24, 2022
Oh, how adorable. Catalina’s Tía Abuela gives her a magical sewing kit for her birthday. The clothing made with it becomes a disguise. So Catalina dons the hoodie that turns her into cat in order to solve a mystery.
This a charming family story with touches of mystery and magic. Lots of Spanish is sprinkled in, but it’s never italicized. I like this approach because it doesn’t otherize the Spanish. The kids at my library blend Spanish and English, just like Catalina and her family do. I can’t wait to tell them about it. Recommended for ages 7 to 9.
This a charming family story with touches of mystery and magic. Lots of Spanish is sprinkled in, but it’s never italicized. I like this approach because it doesn’t otherize the Spanish. The kids at my library blend Spanish and English, just like Catalina and her family do. I can’t wait to tell them about it. Recommended for ages 7 to 9.
September 14, 2022
At first, Catalina is disappointed when her famous actress great aunt gives her a sewing kit for her birthday, but when she finds out it has magical abilities to turn the sewn item into a disguise, she uses it to figure out who stole a ruby off one of her great aunt's costumes. It's a great premise for a series, especially because Catalina has to practice to get better at sewing, AKA get better at making real disguises. A fun story with mystery and fantasy! For fans of JoJo Makoons, Mindy Kim, and Heidi Heckelbeck.
June 19, 2023
Catalina wants to solve the mystery of her aunt’s missing ruby from her costume as a telenovela star. She sets up an investigation. She has help from a magical sewing kit that her aunt gave her as a birthday gift, although Catalina wasn't thrilled with it as a gift at first. The magic sewing kit helps her solve the mystery though because she can disguise herself as a cat. The action is fairly fast paced when they are in the library and she's in feline form. There's some jumping over, under, general avoidance, and more and by the final page the mystery is solved!
January 23, 2022
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Great choices for beginning chapter book readers can be a challenge to find, and this one hits the mark. Catalina’s family and her situation are interesting, and the story is told without feeling like it’s aimed solely at primary students. I am glad to see that this is just the start of Catalina’s adventures, as it looks like more of her stories are set to be released later this year.
Great choices for beginning chapter book readers can be a challenge to find, and this one hits the mark. Catalina’s family and her situation are interesting, and the story is told without feeling like it’s aimed solely at primary students. I am glad to see that this is just the start of Catalina’s adventures, as it looks like more of her stories are set to be released later this year.
April 16, 2022
This middle-grade chapter book/mystery has skateboarding, family, and a special gift to the library from Kitty-cat's aunt the former telenovela star. Tia Abuela's gift to Catalina shows her love and hope to give Catalina a special gift she treasured. Catalina (Kitty-cat) notices something missing from the costume and searches for it. And she secretly practices to be a skateboarder like her sister.
September 11, 2023
Cute middle grade series starter about a third grade girl who inherits a magic needle and thread from her great-aunt that give her the ability to sew clothes that disguise her. She uses her first disguise, a sweatshirt that disguises her as a cat, to solve the mystery of who took a ruby from her actress great-aunt’s most famous dress. Sweet relationship between Cat and her sister. Some Spanish phrases thrown in.
January 29, 2022
What a fun book with a good lesson. First Catalina’s aunt gives her a sewing kit for her birthday. Then, something of her aunt’s is stolen. It’s up to her to figure it out. She pieces things together and her aunt reminds her that the only way to finish a masterpiece, is to begin it. Look for the magic in this book. Preorder now, out in March! Great early chapter book.
#BookPosse
#BookPosse
April 15, 2022
This high-end In-Between series starter features neat-freak Catalina who hates disorder and imperfection of any sort and doesn't like to fail. Her grandmother, a famous telenovela star, gives her a magic sewing kit, which Catalina uses to help her solve a mystery. Catalina also learns the valuable lesson that failure is a necessary part of learning new skills.
May 14, 2022
Cute beginner mystery book about a middle child in a caring family with a little magic thrown in. Lessons in kindness, patience, and perseverance were weaved throughout the book. I learned some Spanish words and I felt like I was part of the family. Enjoyable. Looking forward to the next in the series.
June 11, 2022
6/10/22 ~ Catalina is spunky & wants things just so. I thoroughly enjoyed the realistic fiction setting w/ just a twist of magic (magical thread which turns clothing in to an incognito disguise.) I also enjoyed the bits of Spanish sprinkled through the story and the telenovela mystery. I will definitely be adding this book to my elementary library.
December 9, 2022
I really, really enjoyed this and I'm so excited to recommend it! The storyline is original, Spanish vocabulary and phrases are integrated smoothly into the mostly English text, there are multiple great social-emotional learning opportunities, the ending wasn't predictable, there wasn't a bad guy in the story... I could go on and on. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
January 22, 2023
Very sweet in-between reader. As an ex-elementary school teacher, I liked the way the author put in just a few difficult vocabulary words (e.g. incognito, persnickety) and some Spanish words, including foods like fideo noodles of which I hadn't heard.
Fans of cats will especially enjoy this book. I think my kids will enjoy it and others in the series.
Fans of cats will especially enjoy this book. I think my kids will enjoy it and others in the series.
July 18, 2023
Impulse grab at the library. If I were 7 or 8 I would immediately read the rest of the series. Cat is such a character (though I wish she'd tell her family that she has grown to have other interests than kittens) and the magic is interesting (though I wish there were rules & consequences associated with it).
January 9, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. A cute little early chapter book with a magical twist I was not expecting.
I read a LOT of early chapter books and this one stood out in a good way; the writing was simple, but didn't feel dumbed down, if that makes sense.
I read a LOT of early chapter books and this one stood out in a good way; the writing was simple, but didn't feel dumbed down, if that makes sense.
March 8, 2022
A cute mystery with great illustrations. There isn't much depth to it but it is cute, fun, and magical.
May 19, 2022
Really cute book -- love the disguises, love that her auntie is a famed telenova villainess, love the message of trying again to achieve the thing you want. Also, magic! Hooray!
August 25, 2022
Cute story line and I love the hint of magic. This book was a big hit with my 7 y/o too. I’m excited to read others in the series
December 17, 2022
Catalina is a perfectionist who finally learns that making mistakes is part of the process. A bit of fantasy mixed with mystery
April 10, 2023
A fun early chapter book. I like that it's in a series because I have found that to be a great way to hook kids into reading.
February 14, 2024
Very cute story, relatable protagonist, and seamless inclusion of Spanish words and phrases. My second grader loved it and was able to read many of the words so we took turns reading.
January 4, 2025
Wonderful story with some magic, sewing and try try again wisdom. A few Spanish words mixed in.
July 13, 2025
This story was cute but my daughter didn’t like it
May 7, 2022
Super cute early reader chapter book! I loved the magical element of sewing and learning to let go of perfectionism (some lessons we all need to learn). The mystery element was cute too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews