cover image A Piata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas

A Piata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas

Pat Mora, , illus. by Magaly Morales. . Clarion, $16 (28pp) ISBN 978-0-618-84198-1

Spanish phrases pepper the traditional carol as a joyful child experiences the holiday. On the third day of Christmas, the girl's “amiga” gives her “tres tamalitos,” which sit steaming in an earthen pot, and on the sixth day, she receives “seis trompos girando” (spinning tops). Morales's acrylic illustrations glow with warm, festive colors, evoking lantern light. Phonetic pronunciations for the gifts and numbers are incorporated into the spreads, which lead up to a special final gift—a new sibling. A luminous holiday pick, especially for new big brothers and sisters. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)