Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena

Written by Karla Arenas Valenti.

Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri.

 

Publisher: ‎Knopf Books for Young Readers 

Language: ‎English

Hardcover: ‎40 pages

ISBN-10: ‎0593488679

ISBN-13: ‎978-0593488676

Reading age: ‎3 - 6 years

 

 

A festive nochebuena treat for little ones who believe in the magic of Christmas (and the deliciousness of cake)!

 

On the night before Christmas, a spark of magic lights up Lita's Pastelería, and Esperanza Caramelo blinks open her eyes. Esperanza is a spun-sugar ornament, meant to sit atop the Nochebuena cake—but tonight she whirls through the bakery, singing and dancing, throwing a fiesta with all the other ornaments until . . . disaster strikes!

 

Can the cake be saved in time for Christmas? The clock is ticking, but on Nochebuena, anything is possible—and Esperanza never gives up hope.

 

 

Esperanza Caramelo, la estrella de Nochebuena 

Era la víspera de la Nochebuena, una noche en la que reina el asombro para aquellos que creen en magia. Para Esperanza Caramelo, una niña hecha de azúcar, esta sería una Navidad como ninguna otra…

 

En la víspera de la Nochebuena, un destello de magia despierta la Pastelería de Lita, y Esperanza Caramelo abre sus ojos. Esperanza es una figurita de azúcar, hecha para decorar un pastel de Nochebuena. Pero esta noche, Esperanza da vueltas por la panadería, cantando y bailando, organizando una fiesta con todas las otras figuritas de azúcar. Todos están felices hasta que… ¡ocurre un desastre!

 

¿Tendrán tiempo de arreglar el pastel antes de que sea demasiado tarde?

 

Review

"Valenti whips up a delectable tale of whimsical enchantment, with Spanish sprinkled throughout....Like a dash of sweetened wishes." —Kirkus Reviews

 

"Richly ­illustrated with vibrant colors, this picture book is sure to please." —School Library Journal

 

"The sweet backgrounds are full of delicious and delightful clues and plenty of other details to keep readers invested as they root for this unlikely heroine."—Booklist

 

"This book is sure to satisfy any reader’s sweet tooth." —The Horn Book

Karla Arenas Valenti is the author of many books for children of all ages. She grew up in Mexico City in a house that was built around a tree and surrounded by magic (which has stayed with her long into her adult years). Her storytelling is seeded in Mexican culture and lore, and often deals in explorations of philosophical and identity-based themes (inspiring the mind) while also taking readers on riveting magical realist adventures (inspiring the heart). She currently resides in the Chicagoland area.

Elisa Chavarri has illustrated numerous books for children including Pura Belpre Honor book Sharuko. She graduated with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she majored in classical animation and minored in comics. Elisa hails from Lima, Peru, and resides in Alpena, Michigan, with her husband and two young children.