Twas Nochebuena

’Twas Nochebuena and all through our casa, 

every creature was kneading tamale masa…

It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition. Make tasty tamales and hang colorful adornos (decorations) on the walls. Gather to sing festive canciones (songs) while sipping champurrado (hot chocolate). After the midnight feast has been served and the last gifts have been unwrapped, it’s time to cheer, “Feliz Navidad and to all a good night!”

Savor the magic of Nochebuena with a holiday tale you’ll want to read again and again. 

Roseanne Greenfield Thong is the author of many multicultural-themed children’s books. She was born in Southern California but has lived in Guatemala, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. While in Guatemala and Mexico, she studied Spanish and ate many tamales. Roseanne now lives in Orange County where she teaches English composition.

Sara Palacios is the recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpreé Illustrator Honor Award. A native of Mexico, Sara graduated from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City and went on to earn BFA and MFA degrees in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

“A linguistic and visual treat. The lyrical blend of English and Spanish and vibrant action-packed illustrations make this ideal for read-alouds.” —Booklist

“Thong’s humorous verse follows Clement Moore’s strong rhythm without faltering—despite the metrical challenges of working in two languages at once. Palacios’s warm, earth-toned illustrations of a happy multigenerational family invite readers into the festivities, whether these tradiciones are familiar or new to them.” —Horn Book

“This pleasant family story conveys strong family bonds and traditions while offering non-Spanish speakers a way to learn some basic vocabulary.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This lively picture book offers a wonderful way to celebrate and learn about Latino Christmas traditions.” —School Library Journal