The Magnificent Adventures of Folotjing - The Brave and Kindhearted is a children’s adventure picture book written and illustrated by Rio N. Cortez. Folotjing is a tiny magical creature known as a Dwendi, a being that only small children can see, who is part of Filipino folklore. Being so soft, rather plump and small, Folotjing finds himself in some rather perilous situations, such as when a big wolf found him and decided to make the Dwendi his next meal. All too soon, however, the tables are turned as the wolf falls into a trap, and it is Folotjing who engineers a way to free him. And then there was the bear that Folotjing encountered on a trip to the river to gather pebbles for his pebble fence. Seems that everyone wants to make Folotjing their next meal, but, somehow, he gets through his encounters and even makes friends along the way.

Rio N. Cortez’s mythological adventure book for children, The Magnificent Adventures of Folotjing - The Brave and Kindhearted, introduces young readers to a Dwendi whose natural senses of goodness and kindness seem to keep him not only safe but help him make good friends throughout the forest he calls home. I was fascinated by this vulnerable yet quick-thinking little creature and loved reading about his adventures. Each fable shows kids how to be generous, forgive others and live by their word. Cortez also illustrated his book, and the pen-and-ink drawings on sepia-toned paper work perfectly with the stories he includes. I’m hoping to encounter Folotjing in his other adventures. The Magnificent Adventures of Folotjing - The Brave and Kindhearted is most highly recommended.

You don’t have to be big and you don’t have to possess magic to be a hero. Sometimes the magic comes from deep within, like a clever thought or idea that somehow saves the day and makes someone into a hero. Folotjing is a small creature, an enchanted dwendi. Like the leprechauns in Ireland and the brownies in Scotland and so many other magical little creatures around the world, the dwendi of the Philippines are found in many charming stories and folk tales. When Folotjing is captured by a wolf, then a bear, both who threaten to make him their dinner, the little dwendi cleverly devises a plan to set himself free, a plan that hurts neither Folotjing nor his captors, a plan that actually makes them into close friends. You see, Folotjing makes himself into a hero, one that can save a creature much bigger than he is.

Rio N. Cortez’s picture book story, The Magnificent Adventures of Folotjing – The Brave and Kindhearted, is a fairy tale based on childhood stories that the author heard from his mother. A firm believer in quality family time and sharing stories with young children, Rio continues the tradition his mother shared with him and now he is sharing his stories with readers around the world, young and old. So many fairy tales we read are well known, like the Grimm Brothers: European-based fairy tales. It’s rather refreshing to hear a fairy tale about a magical creature in another country, far from Europe. The author has presented his tale in rhyming verse accompanied by colorful illustrations that help carry the story along. I loved this little book and the messages it shares: to be kind to one another, large and small, and that even the smallest one of us can be the biggest hero of the day.

The Magnificent Adventures of Folotjing - The Brave and Kindhearted is a children’s book by Rio N. Cortez. The story focuses on a small, plump Dwendi named Folotjing who lives in a tree and is as fragrant as a mango. He plays and prepares for winter like a good Dwendi but often gets into trouble because of his small and vulnerable size. He attracts predators and trouble because of his tiny stature, but maybe everything will turn out all right in the end, because Folotjing is brave and smart, but most of all, he is kind.

The Magnificent Adventures of Folotjing - The Brave and Kindhearted is a well-intended, adorable, and wonderfully drawn and written book by Rio. N Cortez. The illustrations are colorful and they definitely caught my eye. Cortez’s illustrations are sure to attract and entertain its target audience. I found it to be a visually appealing book that has many important lessons to be learned. The story itself is short, to the point, and very sweet. Folotjing is easily captured because of his height and size but he makes up for it by being sharp, brave, and oh-so-kind.

We have learned in life that it is not easy to forgive someone who means to cause you harm and Cortez skillfully presents this dilemma in a short but concise way. When Folotjing hesitates before helping the bear, I sympathized with him. It is realistic and smart to stop and think first before you head back into possible danger, but even though the bear first intended to do harm on the small Dwendi, Folotjing still goes back to help him anyway. Folotjing’s actions teach me the importance of a good heart. I think this book is outstanding because it managed to convey such important lessons in two short stories. Truly a marvelous work, good job!