December's Libro del Mes/Book of the Month

The Night of Las Posadas
Written and Illustrated by
Tomie dePaola

In honor of the season, the LBBC’s recommendation for December’s Libro del Mes, is Tomie dePaola’s The Night of Las Posadas.

A touching story that centers around a Latino holiday tradition – la posada – which is the re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s attempt to seek lodging the night that Jesus was born. The Night of Las Posadas begins in a small town outside of modern-day Santa Fe. Sister Angie, who coordinates the town’s celebration, is excited over her the fact that this year her niece and nephew will play the role of Mary and Joseph in the posada. But tragedy strikes when Sister Angie comes down with the flu and Lupe and Roberto’s car breaks down in a snowstorm. It then takes a miracle to save the town’s procession.

Tomie dePaola is certainly one of my favorite children’s book illustrators. In fact, he is such a good storyteller and illustrator, that Latin Baby carries several of his books. And his artwork is so distinctive that I can spot it just about anywhere. There is a warmth and beauty to it that my children instantly respond to. And the story lines themselves are so very well written that they immediately engage the readers, engrossing them in the story.

Down in the town, everyone had gathered. The snow had tapered off and

was falling gently. The farolitos were lit. The Plaza looked magical.

"Where are Lupe and Roberto?" Father Vasquez asked.

"It’s almost time to start."

The guitars were tuned, the horn player was warmed up, the singers

were ready. Even the devils were ready. But no Roberto and Lupe.

And everyone knows that you can’t have Las Posadas without Maria and José…

The book is written in English with Spanish words embedded throughout, includes a glossary and an introduction which explains the posada custom.

I don’t know how many of you have experienced the posada tradition in person. But I certainly remember many holidays as a child, standing outside someone’s home, bundled up in the frosty weather with a little candle in one hand and a sheet with lyrics in the other. If I was lucky, I sometimes got to help carry the peregrinos - the little statues of Mary and Joseph - which were placed on a small wooden platform carried by two people in the group outside. Sometimes the posada was held at a local community center. Sometimes a group of friends would take turns hosting the posada at their house, as did my grandparents. Wherever the event took place, there was always plenty of music and laughter, and especially lots of food!

Since my children don’t currently have the opportunity to experience this tradition, this book is a great introduction. It cannot duplicate the real thing, but it can certainly present it to my kids in a way that they can understand.

If you would like to buy your own copy of The Night of Las Posadas, please click here. Or you can follow the link in our sidebar to the LBBC’s on-line store. We have both new and gently used copies available.