I think it will find a place in all readers’ hearts. This is a book that belongs in every home. It offered wonderful conversations in my family about fears and bedtime scary things. I love the ways in which the jumbies are made approachable for kids. There are so many different ways to approach this text for kids, and it offers so much potential for classrooms. Ricki’s Review: This book feels like an instant classic to me-it is one that I will read and enjoy with my kids again and again. After we were done, we went on a Google hunt to learn more about jumbies, and I introduced Trent to Baptiste’s middle grade Jumbies books too–he says he can’t wait to read them when he is older! The illustrations were also perfect for the story! I loved the way that Ren was able to bring such beautiful coloring in even in a story happening at night. She is also a visual development artist, and her work has been featured in the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art’s first online exhibition, “ART in PLACE: Social Distancing in the Studio.” You can find her online at Kellee’s Review: This book is equally compelling, spooky, and fun! Trent and I had a great time chanting the “I’m looking for a jumbie…” part of the story (great repetition & rhythm!) and meeting all of the jumbies that Naya meets along the way. You can visit her online at About the Illustrator: Amber Ren is the illustrator of Because by Mo Willems, a New York Times bestseller. Raised in Trinidad until she was fifteen, she now lives with her family in New Jersey. A former elementary school teacher, Tracey is now on the faculty at Lesley University’s creative writing MFA program. A nice addition to offerings on being afraid of the dark, monsters, or nighttime adventures.” – BooklistĪbout the Author: Tracey Baptiste is the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade novels Minecraft: The Crash, The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies, and The Jumbie God’s Revenge.

“The illustrations are colorful and dreamlike, and Ren pays special attention to accentuating the features of characters.

Rise of the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste