Customer Reviews

The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story (Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards))

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Award-winning author and illustrator team Rudolfo Anaya and Amy Cordova present The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story, an English/Spanish Christmas tale about the power of miracles. Don Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andres how to become a santero; the two of them are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. Due to the great snowfall, Andres' parents cannot come home in time for the holiday, and don Jacobo's neighbor, don Leopoldo, is severely ill but cannot reach the hospital. Then don Jacobo dreams of a miracle: San Isidro plowing with two oxen and and an angel helping. The meaning of the dream brings about a reminder of the power of compassion, faith, and love. The bright color illustrations practically leap off the page in this joyful and uplifting story meant to be shared.

The Santero's Miracle is a very sweet story that captures the culture and traditions of Northern New Mexico. The persons who carve saints (santeros) are highly regarded here. Many families have a multi-generational tradition of carving.

This story illustrates the unique culture that developed in the remote mountains of Northern New Mexico. This is a rare place in America.

The illustrations are exquisite. It doesn't matter what religious tradition the reader practices -- this is a story for everyone.

For anyone who still believes in miracles or enjoys reading about them, "The Santero's Miracle" is the book for you. This book is a heart warming tale of Andres who stays with his grandpa - Don Jacobo and his grandma - Dona Sofia during the Christmas vacation. Don Jacobo is a one of the best santeros (wood carver of saints) in New Mexico. He carves a beautiful wooden santero of Saint San Isidro for the Christmas holiday.The closeness of Andres and his grandparents during Christmas is a wonderful portrayal of family life. Andres, his grandparents and his neighbor all experience a personal trial during the Christmas Holiday. A wonderful Christmas miracle occurs. You will want to experience this miracle by reading the book. Because this book centers around saints and Saint San Isidro in particular, it may present a problem for non-Catholics, but all people can enjoy this wonderful story of a miracle. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about --experiencing a miracle!

"The Santero's Miracle" would make a wonderful Christmas gift book. It is a beautifully illustrated children's book. Almost every page contains a full color illustration. The illustrations are bold and colorful and emphasize each individual's character and personality. This is a bilingual book in both Sapnish and English. Both English and Spanish speaking students will be drawn to this book because they can instantly see the Spanish version of each English paragraph. There is also a brief dictionary at the end of the book which gives the meaning of various Spanish words and phrases found in the English text. The publisher made a bad choice of printed font. It is too light and should have been darker and bolder.