The Firefly Star: A Hispanic Tale (Three Kings Day) (book and CD) (See-More's Workshop Series) [Paperback]

Sandra Robbins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | Series: See-More's Workshop Series

The magical story of El Dia de Los Reyes (Three King's Day) and how it almost didn't happen - until Raton Perez, the clever little mouse, and Senora Margarita, the ladybug, save the day. This non-religious story book celebrates the Hispanic folk tradition, and its companion tape comes alive with a mix of rich Spanish and Medieval music.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Robbins introduces readers to El Di?a de los Reyes, Three Kings' Day, celebrated by Hispanics on January 6th, in this original folktale. Each year the kings travel through the sky on their Royal Camels and place presents in boxes of grass that children leave out for the animals. One year, however, the jealous Royal Horses enlist the fireflies into forming a star that leads the camels in circles, thus making the kings angry. Disaster is averted by the two smallest creatures in the palace, a mouse and a ladybug. The pictures are unpolished and awkward, detracting from the enjoyment of the story. The strength of the book lies in the tale of adventure, friendship, and hope.?Maria Redburn, Irving Public Library, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. The January 6 Hispanic holiday El Dia de los Reyes, Three Kings' Day, is the special holiday when the Three Kings travel through the sky on their royal camels to bring presents to children. This story about the holiday begins with real suspense: "Once it almost didn't happen." The jealous horses in the palace in the sky trick the camels into carrying the kings, not to the children on earth, but in a circle back home to the palace. Then Raton Perez, the little mouse, and Senora Margarita, the ladybug, save the night by setting the clock back so that the kings can start all over again on their journey. No sources are given, so it's not clear what has been "adapted" for this folktale. The mouse-ladybug contrivance with time is not well integrated into the story, but the trickery is entertaining, the colorful folk-art pictures add a sense of pageantry, and the colloquial narrative smoothly integrates Spanish expressions into the storytelling. A companion audiotape is available. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: See-Mores Workshop (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882601386
• ISBN-13: 978-1882601387
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spanish Culture Embraced, January 17, 2005

By 

John Thomas (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Firefly Star: A Hispanic Tale (Three Kings Day) (book and CD) (See-More's Workshop Series) (Paperback)

Finally, a book that embraces both the Spanish language and culture in a story formatted for kids! For me, the most important lesson in this book was that we should always forgive each other's mistakes. Even though the horses make an error in judgement, in the end, the Three Kings forgive them and deliver their gifts in good faith that the horses have learned their lesson. It's a great book that teaches kids to put faith and trust in others. AND it's nice to see a book that achknowledges El Dia de los Reyes. For one of my kids' favorite holidays, I now have a favorite book.