¡Mira, Look!: A Piñata in a Pine Tree

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the holiday season is officially on the horizon. As the first half of the school year starts to officially wind down, it’s time for us to take a look at a few books which can be used in the classroom to discuss Christmas in the context of Latin America. For the next two weeks, we will be discussing books that are about Christmas. For this week, we will look at Pat Mora’s A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas.

This book is colorful and playful. It is a read-along picture book that is most appropriate for children in pre-kindergarten to second grade. Mora takes the traditional “Twelve Days of Christmas” and infuses them with Latino words and items associated with the holiday. For example, on the second day, “my amiga gave to me dos pastelitos and a piñata in a pine tree.” This book also includes a glossary for all words used that are in Spanish.

Why should we look at a book like this for our classrooms? Well, it is an easy read for young kids. Also, it demonstrates that while many people celebrate the same holiday, people celebrate it differently. It is a simple lesson in multiculturalism. This book allows us to have a discussion at a younger age about cultural differences (but really similarities), while giving us a fun read for the holiday.

Hopefully, you will check this book out for the little ones!

Until next time,

Neoshia