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‘Twas Nochebuena: A Christmas Story in English and Spanish

By Roseanne Greenfield Thong; illustrated by Sara Palacios

This is a nod of the head both to Clement Clarke Moore, originator of the ageless “The Night Before Christmas” AND a blending of his iconic poem with a fresh take that includes Latino traditions surrounding Christmas Eve.

If you have ethnically blended families, it’s sometimes a challenge to build in an appreciation of the Christmas traditions of both sides. The same may be true of religiously blended families that try to accommodate the respected traditions of Hanukkah AND Christmas. But,it can be done with an open heart and a bit of research.

And as always, here is where the picture book steps to the fore with stories that weave the traditions, foods and family fun so much a part of the holiday season whatever the cultural leanings.

I always get a kick out of Author’s Notes that may often reveal the spark that set a book on its journey to being written. Here, Ms. Greenfield Thong was out in search of tamales late one Christmas Eve at her local restaurants. All sold out. She had enjoyed the tradition surrounding Nochebuena while living in Guatemala and Mexico. Ever hear of the term “ear worm”? It’s a snatch of a song that keeps playing over and over in your head! Who knows where it comes from. Well for this author, a rhyme about tamales did a morph into “sugarplums” that night from the famous “The Night Before Christmas” and the rest is picture book history!

“Twas Nochebuena” is written in English, using the iconic poem plus liberal sprinklings of Latino phrases that make the holiday traditions of Nochebuena or Christmas Eve, come alive for kids. And a handy Glossary of Spanish Terms at the end of the book, provides a go to review of the English/Spanish words and phrases used throughout.

We live in an ever ethnically diverse society, so letting your kids have a peek at the holiday traditions of OTHER cultures, builds in an early recognition of what we share as people, instead of what can divide.

Food, family, plus a whole lot of decorating, provide a commonality among cultures when it comes to Christmas! “‘Twas Nochebuena” is a color-filled Christmas window into the celebration of one Latino family. The food starts with “tamale masa”, and there are MONTONES of them. Decorations or “adornos” fill the rooms of Sara Palacios‘ warmly illustrated Christmas casa. Los Reyes or the wise men are prominently displayed along with the beautiful Christmas tree or “arbol.”

If you’ve never heard of the posadas, it’s a parade that takes place on Christmas Eve in the town. It includes canciones or carols sung by candlelight. Moving from “casa to casa”, the phrase “Le pido posada” is spoken. It is a plea for shelter and is asked of the residents by children dressed as the Holy Family carrying the creche or nativity scene. They are usually turned away traditionally, but always at the last house, they receive a resounding “si”!

Back home, the food and games commence, including a try at the traditional candy-filled pinata. Take it from me, I have sampled the scrumptious bunuelos served at Christmas Eve. Biting into one of these pancake confections sprinkled with cinnamon sugar is a taste treat not to be missed! Have to find a recipe for these!

The evening concludes with mass or Misa del Gallo and a family gathering where much food and “ragalos” or presents await.

If you want to savor Christmas celebrated in the Latino community, Roseanne Greenfield Thong has put together a picture book that allows the shared family traditions of a community to ring out with a glorious and joyful “Feliz Navidad”

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, a period chosen because it bookends the independence days of five Central American nations (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica, Sept. 15), Mexico (Sept. 16) and Chile (Sept. 18), as well as Columbus Day/Dia de la Raza (Oct. 14 this year in the United States). In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve rounded up five great books that celebrate Latino culture and history.

1. Gracias~Thanks by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra

In a series of poetic sentences, a young boy tells about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful in both English and Spanish.

2. Marisol McDonald Doesnt’ Match/Marisol McDonald no combina by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios

A young Peruvian-Scottish-American girl tries to match but finds it’s much more fun to live outside the box.

3. The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de los cuentos by Lucía González, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

Award-winners Lucía González and Lulu Delacre celebrate the magic of the public library and the remarkable efforts of New York City’s first Latina librarian, Pura Belpré.

4. Poems to Dream Together/Poemas para soñar juntos by Francisco X. Alarcón, illustrated by Paula S. Barragán

A bilingual collection of poetry that celebrates family, community, nature, and the positive power of dreams to shape our future.

5. Summer of the Mariposas by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Fifteen-year-old Odilia and her younger sisters embark on a journey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico, and must outwit monsters and witches to make it back home again in this YA fantasy that retells Homer’s The Odyssey.

Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios, Spanish translation by Adriana Domínguez,
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match / Marisol McDonald no combina
Children’s Book Press, 2011 (as of 2012 an imprint of Lee & Low Books).

Ages 4-8

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/Marisol McDonald no combina is a perky bilingual tale about a mixed-heritage girl with a lot of spunk, by award-winning author Monica Brown (Waiting for the Biblioburro; Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People).

Inspired by the author’s personal experience as a Peruvian-American of European, Jewish and Amerindian descent, Marisol McDonald introduces us to a one-of-a-kind girl who defies stereotypes.

Stripes, polka dots and flower prints peacefully co-exist on Marisol’s outfit ensembles. In real life, however, her looks, clothes, playground games and food preferences seem to puzzle her friends, who love to say she “doesn’t match”.

Enchanting and quirky Marisol clearly marches to the beat of her own drums. And why wouldn’t she? After all, there’s nothing wrong with liking peanut butter & jelly burritos; wanting to play a game of soccer-pirates; or signing her first name in cursive and her last in print.

When a school friend challenges her, “Marisol, you couldn’t match if you wanted to!”, Marisol sets out to prove him wrong, dressing for school the next day in a single solid color, eating a “regular” peanut butter & jelly sandwich for lunch, playing a “normal” game of soccer… and feeling wrong all day long, until a thoughtful note from her teacher snaps her back to her old, cheerful, “mismatched” self.

Radiating joy and fun, Sara Palacios’ Pura Belpré Honor illustrations bring Marisol to life and convey the riches of her life and heritage. Children will enjoy looking for and finding clues in the pictures to all the different cultures, as well as to the story’s geographical—and very apt—setting.

Marisol’s lively story ends on a happy and sweet note, leaving readers with the important message that diversity is something to be embraced and celebrated.

Aline Pereira
February 2012

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 23, 2012

Author Award Winner

Illustrator Award Winner

Author Honor Book

Author Honor Book

illustrator Honor Book

Illustrator Honor Book

“The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate.” ~ALSC

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.