The Miracle of the First Poinsettia [Hardcover]

Joanne Oppenheim (Author), Fabian Negrin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Originally native to Mexico, beautiful poinsettia plants decorate homes around the world every holiday season. But few people who love the plant s deep red tones know the traditional Mexican tale about how the poinsettia first came to be. In this extraordinary collaboration, Fabian Negrin brings his warm, glowing scenes to Joanne Oppenheim s thoughtful narrative, transporting readers to Old-World Mexico and into the arms of a young girl as her trust leads her straight into a miracle. A beautiful alternative to the traditional nativity story, this book is a wonderful evocation of Mexican customs and culture.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Oppenheim found the kernel of this story while researching a book about Christmas. She expanded it into the tale of Juanita, who is anxious about Christmas Eve, La Noche Buena. Her father is unemployed, and the family struggles. There will be no gift for baby Jesus at midnight Mass. Oppenheim seems to stretch the story as Juanita wanders through the market place, then home, and finally to church, empty-handed. But it's an uplifting moment when a stone angel in the church courtyard tells Juanita to bring a profusion of greens into church, where they miraculously turn into red poinsettias. Whatever small flaws there are in the text are balanced by Negrin's fabulous pictures, executed in watercolors, colored pencils, and oil pastels. The scenes, in full pages and blocks, are infused with color--the tomato red of the market, the ethereal blue-green of evening, the holy, gold lighting of the church. The sturdy figures have a statue-like dignity in a glowing evocation of old Mexico. Spanish words are well integrated, and there is also a glossary. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A Christmas gem." --Kirkus Review"Negrin's illustrations are richly colored, in pomegranate reds and burnished golds. Even the endpapers are a lush, double-spread explosion of deep red poinsettias from edge to edge. His pictures tell the story at least as eloquently as the text, and add a dimension of magic and beauty that raises 'The Miracle of the First Poinsettia' above the ordinary." --Boston Sunday Globe "Negrin's mixed-media art creates a lush, dreamlike environment where anything seems possible." --Publishers Weekly"Negrin's mixed-media art creates a lush, dreamlike environment where anything seems possible." --Publishers Weekly

"A Christmas gem." --Kirkus Review

"Negrin's mixed-media art creates a lush, dreamlike environment where anything seems possible." --Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841482455
• ISBN-13: 978-1841482453
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 11.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Mexico

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SOPHIE, October 26, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Miracle of the First Poinsettia (Hardcover)

I like this book because of the main character, Juanita. She is very brave because even though she thinks all the people would stare at her because she is bringing weeds to the baby Jesus she goes into the church. Another reason I like the story is when she goes into the church the weeds turn into flowers and this is a great surprise.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Celebration of Catholic Christmas, December 1, 2009

By 

Mujer Latina "Mujer Latina" (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Miracle of the First Poinsettia (Hardcover)

While I have this 'companion' book to the Miracle of the Poinsettia by Brian Cavanaugh (published 2001), I find the Oppenheim Spanish translation rather stilted and far more difficult, even for the very fluent young child to follow. Also, the illustrations are dark and a bit gloomy in comparison to the luminous and richly colorful images of Cavanaugh's version. I have given several of these books as gifts -- with a lukewarm response. Whereas the Cavanugh book has been received by many many friends, teachers and co-workers with a sense of awe for the illustrations, story and mystery it excudes. I would urge a reading of both versions. See for yourselves!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of things to talk about, December 18, 2007

By 

Heidi (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Miracle of the First Poinsettia (Hardcover)

A really different Christmas book. It is the retelling of an old story in picture book form. This would go along well with learning about how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico. It is a great story too. It also opens up a chance to talk about gift giving and the importance of keeping perspective. I would recommend it for all ages.