Las Posadas

Las Posadas

From Booklist Las Posadas is a nine-night celebration that tells the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. It began more than 400 years ago in Spain, and today Las Posadas is celebrated in Mexico, some Latin American countries, and in U.S. communities with a strong Spanish cultural influence. Hoyt-Goldsmith follows 11-year-old Kristen and her family as they prepare for and participate in the festival. Numerous clear, colorful photos bring the text to life. Kristen is shown preparing special foods with her mother and grandmother, the neighbors carve figures of saints, and Kristen plays the role of Mary on the second night of the festival. A recipe for Las Posadas cookies, biscochitos, is provided, along with The Song of Las Posadas in both Spanish and English. Musical notation is included. Photos by Lawrence Migdale convey the excitment of the celebration. Once again Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale offer young readers a comprehensive, inviting look at a unique cultural experience. An excellent addition for public and school libraries; glossary appended. For a fictionalized treatment of the holiday, see dePaola's The Night of Las Posadas. Karen Hutt Complete with full-color photographs, this book introduces young readers to the celebration of the nine nights of Las Posadas through an exploration of its important drama along with a review of its songs, feasts and various traditions. From Publishers Weekly A crisp photo-essay tours homes, churches and workshops in a small New Mexico town, as Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale explore the rituals, customs and folk arts surrounding Las Posadas. While Tomie dePaola's story (reviewed above) is a more charming introduction to the holiday, this fills in the details and facts thoughtfully and personably. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grade 2-6-This photo-essay explores the customs of a Hispanic community in New Mexico as 11-year-old Kristen Lucero, her family, and friends prepare for Las Posadas. This religious festival is celebrated from December 15th to December 23rd, and commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay. Kristen and her friend Ruben portray Mary and Joseph, and the rest of the participants play innkeepers or pilgrims as they visit a different "inn" each night. Readers learn not just about this holiday and its origins, but also about the food, culture, religion, and folk art of the region. Full lyrics and music for "The Song of Las Posadas" are included, as is a recipe for biscochitos, traditional cookies. Particularly interesting is the section on folk art, which includes straw applique, painted retablos, and carved santos. The color photographs occasionally look staged but are otherwise a fine accompaniment to the text.-E.M. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith is the art director of Square Moon Productions, a book design and development company. She lives with her husband, son, and daughter in Orinda, California