FELIZ NAVIDAD

A brief text describing Puerto Rican and international Christmas customs introduces Feliciano’s well-known song, written, “one cold North American Christmas season, when at age twenty-four, he was homesick for his native Puerto Rico.” The pictures accompanying the song depict two Christmases. The first half is in Puerto Rico, with palm trees, chiles, and flowers in the background as musicians travel from house to house, singing and playing guitars, drums, maracas, and accordions. In the second half, celebrations are in snowy landscapes, with Santa hats, wrapped gifts, a snowman, and steaming cups of cider. In both “the real miracle of Christmas is in the power of giving and in the wonderful connections people make with each other around his enchanting holiday.” Diaz’s bold, colorful pages create a celebratory rhythm and invite readers to contemplate the similarities and differences in the two settings.” The implied stories and the numerous Christmas symbols provide much to discuss, and may well inspire readers to engage in celebrations of their own. (Picture book. 3-7)