Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid

Grade 2-5-Vincent is spending Christmas Eve with his T\xEDo Pancho; a retired mariachi singer who lives on an old farm near the border between Texas and Mexico. When Santa Claus arrives at the farmhouse looking for his cousin, Vincent is stunned to learn that his uncle is the jolly one's relative. His surprise only increases as he witnesses Santa transform his uncle into his helper, Charro Claus. Santa's magic powers also enable Pancho's old wagon and burros to fly him back and forth along the border; a border that he considers his home, and on this magic night, neither weather nor walls will keep him from delivering presents to children. Wanting to be part of the adventure, Vincent hides inside the magic sack of presents, not realizing that this act will turn him into another one of Santa's helpers. Garza's original text and bold, full-page illustrations will surely pull readers into the excitement of this new ""border"" story. A wonderful acquisition for elementary and public libraries, as well as bookstores looking to enhance their bilingual Christmas offerings. Betsy Duarte Shepard, Wakefield Middle School, Tucson, AZ