Feliz Nochebuena

Bittersweet memories, delicious recipes, and fabulous feasts await you in Feliz Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad, a sumptuous introduction to the history of Christmas celebrations in the Hispanic Caribbean. Beginning with her own memories of spit-roasted pork "with a garlicky Seville orange adobo" and holidays desserts such as turrones, mazapán, and buñuelos, author Maricel E. Presilla takes us on a journey through the history of Christmas in the Hispanic islands. As she describes all of the foods of Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and Christmas Day, she tells us about the peoples from around the world who brought their ingredients and recipes to the table. We meet Arabs whose almond trees yielded the key ingredient in mazapán; Taino farmers who grew yuca; Spanish conquistadores who hunted pigs like in medieval Europe; African slaves who combined rice and peas to create flavorful new dishes. As she introduces each group of peoples and their foods, Dr. Presilla gives us carefully tested recipes that allow readers of all ages to join in on the feast. Ismael Espinosa Ferrer's vibrant, colorful paintings evoke the magic of holidays in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and now the United States.

Introduces the holiday customs of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, explains how the food eaten came from Spain, the Taino Indians, and African slaves, and provides recipes.

A family seated round the fireplace Singing and making merry; A sprightly waltz played with grace Noche Buena brings us all the magic of the Christmas season as seen through the eyes of the Hispanic Americans who celebrate it. Christmas is at times a universal story, and many of the images here are recognizable across cultures. We hear and see proud, joyful singing; the adoration of the Infant Jesus; and the peaceful strains of Adeste Fidelis. But here as well are the rich traditions and legends specific to the Hispanic culture, such as the celebration of the posadas for nine nights leading up to Christmas, with candy raining down from colorful swinging piñatas, egg shells filled with confetti, and beautiful paper lanterns crafted to illuminate the town on Christmas Eve. There is the "Legend of the Poinsettia" where a poor child embarrassed by the modesty of his gift for the Christ Child sheds tears on the dull green leaves of the familiar plant, thereby miraculously transforming them to a brilliant red. And here too are hopeful children singing "If You Give Me Meat Pies," asking for the reward of warm meat pies and rice pudding in return for their sweet caroling. Thirty-six inspiring literary selections comprise this enchanting collection of works from Mexican, Colombian, Cuban, and Puerto Rican writers--writers who represent the range of Hispanic minority groups in the United States. Through these stories, traditional tales, songs, and poetry, readers gain a true understanding of the importance of the Christmas holiday within the Hispanic community, and begin to grasp the issues that inform the Hispanic American creative process--issues such as communal identity, patriotism, poverty, assimilation, and religion. With vivid illustrations and original Spanish text for all poetry, this fascinating anthology will inform readers of all cultural backgrounds, and give them the opportunity to celebrate this cherished time with a newly extended family.

Join the Giordino family from Marie’s Miami Nights Series as they celebrate Christmas Eve in the tradition of Abuela’s Cuban family. Best read after How Much I Love, book 3 in the series.

In 2002, Amber Christensen was brutally bitten by a dog while traveling through Argentina. She was forced to change her travel plans, which led her to Aconcagua—the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere—where she met a handsome and charming Argentine mountain guide named Fede. After spending only three days together, the two had fallen deeply in love. They embarked upon a bicontinental life together, lit by love and adventure, fraught with challenges, and darkened by senseless tragedy. After only three years of marriage, Fede was caught in a storm on the summit of the same mountain where their love story had begun. A torturous search and rescue effort ensued, ultimately ending in his death. A video later surfaced which revealed that the rescue attempt had been negligent. In the wake of Fede’s untimely passing, Amber was forced to face the mountain that had both blessed and cursed her life and to find a way to create meaning and purpose from insurmountable loss. This is a story of love, death, and moving mountains. Christensen recounts her journey of bicultural love and grief, which brings her back again and again to a twisting mountain trail that offers her transformation, transcendence, and an ultimate acceptance: that in any language, culture or moment, comprender la muerte es comprender la vida (to understand death is to understand life).

’Twas Nochebuena and all through our casa, every creature was kneading tamale masa... It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition. Make tasty tamales and hang colorful adornos (decorations) on the walls. Gather to sing festive canciones (songs) while sipping champurrado (hot chocolate). After the midnight feast has been served and the last gifts have been unwrapped, it’s time to cheer, “Feliz Navidad and to all a good night!” Savor the magic of Nochebuena with a holiday tale you’ll want to read again and again.

This compelling book emphasizes the critical role of quality multicultural literature and reader response in today's schools and libraries. All students need access to books in which they can see themselves—not just their physical appearance, but their culture and language, as well. Multicultural Literature and Response: Affirming Diverse Voices was written to help teachers and librarians find and use the best multicultural books in the service of reading comprehension and more. Underscoring the necessity of selecting quality literature that authentically, sensitively, and accurately portrays different groups, the book defines multicultural literature and provides a strong argument for its importance in schools and libraries. Expert contributors guide users to multicultural authors and illustrators who portrays U.S. ethnic and cultural groups, and they suggest ways to integrate this literature with writing, fluency development, storytelling, and audiovisuals. Extensive lists of books and websites that feature multicultural literature, as well as of authors, illustrators, and publishers of multicultural literature, make it easy to include such works in programs across the curriculum.

“Aguinaldos y villancicos, recetas, tradiciones de Navidad”—songs, recipes, and traditions of Christmas from the nineteen Spanish-speaking countries of Middle and South America, as well as from the one state that is officially bi-lingual, are included in this well-researched book. There is a wealth of Christmas music, much of it unknown to North Americans, with tunes and guitar chords, words and translations. And there are recipes from each country for holiday foods, ranging from simple beverages to complex tamales and desserts—from “gingebre” to “hallaca” and “tres leches.” Also included are customs and traditions from each of the countries, some common to all, others specific to place, all reflecting the joys of Christmas. An index, glossary, and extensive bibliography make this a valuable resource for readers of all interests. VIRGINIA NYLANDER EBINGER wass a retired music teacher and a teacher trainer, researcher, and author, with special interest in the Hispanic folklore of New Mexico. Among her other publications are “Niñez: Spanish Songs, Games and Stories of Childhood” and “De Colores.”