This is the story of a little girl named Mandy, who lives in a small house in the deep forest with her family. Mandy loved her parents, but most of all she loved her very special Abuela, which is Spanish for grandmother. Abuela would tell Mandy and her cousins stories about Cuba, the land she grew up in, and they especially loved a story she would often tell them about a big, green monster. This green monster was very different and ugly, and Mandy would often dream of this monster and she would also dream of magical ways to get rid of him. Join Mandy and her cousins and their friends as they decide the best way to take care of this big, green, ugly monster.

"Mandy, Princess of La La Land: The Green Monster” is a cute and fun story for children to read. I like how the story shows the vivid magical imagination of children as they work together to make up fun and enjoyable things to do. And I love the relationship between Abuela and her grandchildren. She was fun, loving and enjoyed her family, and the children found her interesting and loved spending time with her. And the cute and colorful illustrations fit well with this story because it helps children to understand the story better, and make the book very eye-catching inside and out. I highly recommend this book for your child's library, and this would be wonderful for a school library as well.

Mandy Princess of La La Land and her grandmother are close to each other and like to play pretend. Her cousins, Nathan and Aiden, usually join them in these games. Their grandmother is also fond of telling them stories about a green monster who stole food, toys, and Christmas from the islanders. Worst, he also stole their freedom. Having a vivid imagination, Mandy dreams of rescuing the children from the island by capturing the green monster with the help of her cousins and their friends, Katie and Kenny. The children's adventure starts here and the question is what they will do to the green monster when they capture him.

Lourdes Rodriguez was born in 1958 during the rise of the regime of Fidel Castro in Cuba. This book is actually based on the nightmares of her childhood. It is interesting to note that she chose to write a children's story to make a social commentary on the communist rulers represented by the green monster of her native Cuba. On the other hand, it makes the story more poignant because it is being told from the point of view of a little girl. It must be horrible for a child, who is used to celebrate Christmas, to find out that it is not allowed anymore. It is, however, more horrible for a grandmother, now living in relative prosperity, to imagine children in Cuba not being able to enjoy simple joys like a piece of cake and some toys. This book will open the eyes, not only of the Cuban children now living in the United States of America, but also of all the children in the world, that most things they take for granted are not available for the others who are less fortunate. Written in simple words and beautifully illustrated by the author and Mary Connors, the message of this children's book will tug at the hearts of readers of all ages.