Philippine author Cruz brings to life magical creatures inspired by Filipino folklore dressed up in new hats. Marikit Lakandula does not have a lot of pretty things, even though her name—Marikit—means “pretty.” On her tenth birthday, shadows suddenly appear after her mother gives her a gift of a magical patchwork dress. The shadows have been watching and following Marikit to steal her away, and soon she learns the truth: she is a halfling, and her mother is an Engkanto, an enchanted creature who plays tricks on humans. Marikit travels to the land of the Engkantos and must use the dress as a map to make a Diwata journey. Her adventures are interwoven with Filipino language and culture and filled with creatures such as the nightmarish aswangs and the one-eyed moon goddess Mayari. Like Alice stumbling down the rabbit hole, Marikit has memorable adventures that help her find her place in the world. A perfect read-alike for fans of Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009) and Erin Entrada Kelly’s Lalani of the Distant Sea (2019).