The Night of Las Posadas

Starred review from September 27, 1999
Hispanic holiday customs take center stage in this exquisitely wrought story. Lupe and Roberto are to play Mary and Joseph in the Christmas pageant in their village outside Santa Fe, but their truck gives out in a snowstorm. A mysterious couple steps in at the last minute to take their places. DePaola's talent for crafting folktales is honed to near-perfection, and his pages glow with the soft sun-washed hues of the Southwest. Ages 4-8.

Starred review from October 1, 1999
K-Gr 4-Another beautiful offering from dePaola, this one tells the story of a modern-day Las Posadas procession in Santa Fe, NM. An introduction explains the background and history of the old Spanish custom, and a glossary translates the few words of Spanish used in the text. Sister Angie, who recently celebrated her 50th anniversary as a nun, has always coordinated the preparations for her village's celebration. This year, she is especially proud as her niece, Lupe, and Lupe's new husband will portray Maria and Jose. The festivities are jeopardized when Sister Angie comes down with the flu and the young couple's car breaks down in a snowstorm. A miracle occurs when a beautiful carving of Mary and Joseph, given to Sister Angie to commemorate her Golden Jubilee, comes to life to lead the village's procession. The artist's distinctive acrylic artwork, done in the colors of the Southwest, illuminate the story and radiate its reverence and warmth. There are very few books for children about Las Posadas; this one is suitable both for reading aloud to groups and sharing one-on-one.-L.F.

Copyright 1999 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 1999
Ages 5^-9. An introduction describes Las Posadas, an old Spanish custom that commemorates Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. In this story, set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Sister Angie, a nun for 50 years, is thrilled that her niece Lupe and Lupe's husband, Roberto, will serve as Mary and Joseph trying to find a welcoming door in Santa Fe. On the day of Las Posadas, Sister Angie is down with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto are caught in a snowstorm. Happily, a pregnant woman and her husband, riding a mule and supposedly sent by Sister Angie, save the procession. Children soon realize it is a carving of Mary and Joseph come to life that has led the procession. Because the characters are all adults and the ending is predictable (though perhaps not as predictable for children as for grownups), this may have less appeal than some of dePaola's other works. The art, too, is staid, with many pictures featuring Sister Angie, Lupe and Roberto, a priest, and Mary and Joseph. What gives the illustrations most of their appeal are the pure winter colorings, whites, purples, deep greens, and blues. Many of the spreads are illuminated by "farolitos," small lights that decorate the procession route. An author's note gives some of the same information as the introduction. ((Reviewed September 1, 1999))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1999, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2000
The young people chosen to portray Mary and Joseph in the Santa Fe Las Posadas celebration are delayed by a snowstorm. Instead, another couple arrives to act the part of the Holy Family. Later, Sister Angie discovers that her beloved carving of Mary and Joseph seems to have come to life to save the pageant. DePaola's characteristic warm illustrations and detailed retelling of the miracle make this a satisfying Christmas story.

(Copyright 2000 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)