De cómo nació la piñata. (How the Piñata Was Born)
Reviewed by Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott Coll., Decatur, GA -- Críticas, 1/15/2008
Czernecki, Stefan and Timothy Rhodes.
tr. by Alberto Ruy Sánchez. illus. by authors. México: Artes de México. 2007. unpaged. ISBN 978-970-683-283-2. $15.95.
Gr 3-5–This vibrantly illustrated Mexican tale of the origin of the piñata is actually Christmas story about the joys of giving. Juanito, a poor blind boy, leads the annual Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, procession that culminates with the villagers setting up a Nativity scene. A little star, curious about the candlelight below, descends too close and gets itself caught on an enormous cactus growing in the plaza. When Juanito falls behind everyone heading to midnight Mass, he hears a faint cry for help. In maneuvering to dislodge the star from its thorny lodge, the boy is sprinkled with stardust and rewarded with the gift of sight. Many years pass before the aging Juan invents the first star piñata and fills it with trinkets and sweets to make for the children’s best Christmas. That is how Juan passes on to others the joy that one little star once bestowed on him. The detailed acrylic illustrations, which feature bold primary colors typical of Mexican art, enhance the text and add playfulness to the story. This book will interest all schools and public libraries.
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