THE MIRACLE OF THE FIRST POINSETTIA

Oppenheim tells the familiar story of the first Poinsettia (also the subject of picture books by Tomie de Paola and Pat Mora) with a sure hand. Juanita, a poor child in rural Mexico longs for a Christmas gift for the Christ child. A stone angel tells her to pick some weeds; when they’re transformed miraculously into beautiful red flowers, they become the perfect gift. Oppenheim enriches the Mexican flavor by sprinkling Spanish words throughout the text and including a glossary and pronunciation key. A carol (with music and words in Spanish and English), traditionally sung by the mariachis at Christmastime, concludes the story. Negrin’s intense oil-and-wax pastel, colored-pencil, and watercolor illustrations border on the surreal, with their bold use of modeling and contrasting deep blues, reds, and glowing gold. They also provide authentic details and decorations of papel picado, birds, butterflies, and flowers. A Christmas gem. (Picture book. 5-9)