La Noche Buena

PreS-Gr 2—Sprinkled with Spanish words, this book introduces readers to the preparations for a Cuban-American family's Christmas Eve feast. Nina goes to visit her paternal grandmother in Miami's Little Havana ("It's my dad's turn to have me, and he wants me to see how the Cuban side of my family celebrates the holidays") even though she would rather be up north with her mother and "lots of snow!" Her father has told her that La Noche Buena is the best night of the year in many Cuban homes. For three days Nina helps her abuela as the women in the family prepare the marinade for the roast pig. When the big night finally arrives, the girl experiences all the joys of eating a magnificent meal with her family, attending Misa del Gallo (midnight mass), and then celebrating with music and dancing. A glossary of Spanish words and phrases is included. Though flat at times, the acrylic illustrations have colorful hues to fill each page with scenes of Nina's adventures. A warm bit of holiday diversity.—Diane Olivo-Posner, Los Angeles Public Library