The Miracle of the First Poinsettia: A Mexican Christmas Story by Joanne Oppenheim

The Miracle of the First Poinsettia: A Mexican Christmas Story Reviews

• 
  Mir

  An okay retelling of an okay story. Both the writing and illustrations seem to set the story in a somewhat more recent era, which is odd because obviously poinsettias did not recently come into being, miraculously.
  
  This is a weakness of the original 16th century miracle story, too; surely there must have been at least one generation of listeners, recent Christian converts, who heard it and thought, "But those flowers were already here..." Maybe it wasn't originally specified as taking place in Mexico? That would make more sense as a miracle story for locals, although I suppose non-Mexicans might be aware that the plant originated there so-- Oh, I give up. This holiday story is clearly alternative fact.
  
  Resist Cuitlaxochitl appropriation!
• 
  Abigail

  Juanita must confront the difference that her father's recent unemployment makes in her family's Posadas, or Christmas celebration, in this lovely retelling of a Mexican legend. Unable to buy the special foods eaten at this time of year, or get gifts for her younger brothers and friends, Juanita is desperately unhappy, even going so far as to avoid the Christmas Eve church service, because she has no offering for the Baby Jesus. It is as she lingers outside the church, longing to go in but feeling unworthy, that a miracle occurs, and a beautiful gift for the Christ Child is given to her...
  
  A pourquoi tale explaining how poinsettias - indigenous to Mexico and Central America, this flowering plant is known as La flor de Noche Buena, or "the flower of Christmas Eve" - came to be, this story has also been retold by Tomie dePaola in his picture-book,
  The Legend of the Poinsettia. This retelling by Joanne F. Oppenheim, who credits the Christmases she spent in Mexico with her parents as an inspiration in her brief afterword, is appealing, although the real star is the artwork by Fabian Negrin. With a deep and vivid color palette, expressively painted human figures, and lovely decorative details - the poinsettia endpapers were a particularly nice touch! - the illustrations here are immensely appealing. The sense of beauty and mystery in these paintings, which can also be found in other titles illustrated by Negrin, such as Julia Alvarez'
  The Secret Footprints, is just enchanting. Highly recommended, both to those young readers looking for Christmas stories with a Mexican cultural setting, and to fans of the artist's work.
• 
  Kathryn

  I was all set to love this story, but it fell flat, IMO. I really like the artwork and also the idea of a multi-cultural Christmas story. I think many families will enjoy the Mexican element and also the Christ-centered focus of the tale. However, I just wasn't impressed with the writing style--it seemed a bit bland. Also, I was a bit annoyed by all the Spanish words scattered throughout the tale. Now, I know, I know, this is a multi-cultural tale set in Mexico, so certainly we must have Spanish! And I am all for that. But, this just seemed a bit forced... like I was watching Sesame Street and being "taught." Also, sometimes the translation would immediately follow the words (i.e., someone speaks and first utters an exclamation in Spanish, then the translation in English) but most of the time it had to be looked up in the Glossary, which really slowed down the pace for me. Perhaps it would be better enjoyed by those who are already bi-lingual and don't have to rely on the Glossary.
• 
  VillaPark Public Library

  It is “la Noche Buena,” Christmas Eve, a most joyous and festive time of celebration for many people—especially a young girl named Juanita. In this colorful retelling of a beloved Mexican folktale, Juanita is sad since she has nothing splendid to give the Christ child on Christmas Eve during Midnight Mass. When the night arrives, she carries a bundle of green weeds in her arms down the aisle of the church…and it is then that the weeds magically transform into the most beautiful red starflowers. Juanita then realizes she does have the most splendid and PERFECT gift to give. The author weaves Spanish words and phrases throughout the story, which is richly illustrated with many colors. The end of the book includes a glossary of Spanish vocabulary for reference purposes and a traditional Mexican Christmas carol with lyrics and music for the reader to enjoy.
  
  
  Check this book out from the Villa Park Public Library!
• 
  J

  What a beautiful book. The artwork is fantastic. This book would do best with older kids.
• 
  Vamos a Leer

  The Miracle of the First Poinsettia, written by Joanne Oppenheim and illustrated by Fabian Negrin, is a holiday tale best for ages 5-9. It is written in English with Spanish words interspersed throughout, and tells the story of a young, Mexican girl who learns to give gifts from the heart. Oppenheim’s story is a retelling of a traditional Mexican myth about the creation of the first Poinsettia flowers in Mexico. These flowers are sometimes called “flores de la Noche Buena,” or “flowers of Christmas Eve.” According to Oppenheim’s Author’s Note: “They decorate homes and churches all over the world at Christmas time. In Mexico they are so plentiful they still go like weeds. They brighten gardens and remind us of hope, the joy and the miracle of Christmas!” With glowing illustrations, this tale of love and kindness will surely warm the hearts of readers as the winter chill sets in.
  
  Oppenheim, in her “Author’s Note,” comments upon the transitory beauty of myths and legends: “It is always different, yet the same. That is what keeps folktales alive—telling them and retelling them in different ways. Perhaps the reason this story lives on is because it is a miracle story that reminds us of the true spirit of giving.” This lovely retelling, coupled with Negrin’s mesmerizing illustrations, make for a truly enchanting tale. As Kirkus Reviews notes,
  
  Negrin’s intense oil-and-wax pastel, colored-pencil, and watercolor illustrations border on the surreal, with their bold use of modeling and contrasting deep blues, reds, and glowing gold. They also provide authentic details and decorations of papel picado, birds, butterflies, and flowers. A Christmas gem.
  
  Illustrator Fabian Negrin studied art in Mexico City. His illustrations evoke the style of Mexican muralists, especially reminiscent of some of Diego Rivera’s work. In particular, the illustration on the left brings to mind Rivera’s mural painting, The Flower Seller. While reading this holiday tale, educators could also take the time to teach students about the history of Mexican muralism and the role of art in society. As Art History Resources inquires, “What is the goal of art? To what extent is art supposed to be autonomous and separated from everyday life? What does public art accomplish?” Mexican mural art has been a recurrent theme amongst my book reviews, and it is both an important and fascinating element of Mexican culture and society. Keeping these educational bonuses in mind, Negrin’s stunning illustrations will dazzle the yuletide imaginations of readers young and old as they are told of the first Poinsettia flowers in Mexico.
  
  The story begins on the day before La Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve. Las Posadas, which translates into English as “the inns” or “the lodgings” is widely celebrated across Mexico during the days leading up to La Noche Buena, from December 16-24. According to Britannica, “Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus.” The religious ceremony is accompanied by a variety of cultural traditions, celebrated across Mexico:
  
  Each evening during the festival, a small child dressed as an angel leads a procession through the streets of the town. The procession is primarily made up of children dressed in silver and gold robes carrying lit candles and images of Mary and Joseph riding a donkey. Adults, including musicians, follow the procession, which visits selected homes and asks for lodging for Joseph and Mary. Traditionally, the procession is always refused lodging, though the hosts often provide refreshments. At each stop, passages of scripture are read and Christmas carols are sung. Mass is held each day after the procession, and, at the conclusion of the service, children break open piñatas filled with candy, toys, and, occasionally, money. The piñatas are usually crafted in the form of a star, which was said to have guided the three wise men of biblical tradition to the newborn Jesus.
  
  In this children’s book, we learn about the holiday through the perspective of Nita, a young girl living “high in the mountains of Mexico”. Nita’s father has just lost his job, and Nita is worried that she will not have enough pesos to buy gifts for her family, or to bring to the church on the night of La Noche Buena, as the holiday tradition requires. As Nita walks around the market looking for gifts to buy with her few pesos, the reader follows her through the festive, luminous streets of Mexico. Negrin’s illustrations match Oppenheim’s account of her childhood trips to Mexico during the holidays: “Mexico City was like a fairyland with festive lights on every street and markets full of gifts.” The reader can spot artisanal puppets, piñatas, and masks, heaping piles of fruits and spices, strings of papel picado, candle-lit windows, and even fireworks in the distant sky. The village is in full celebration, but Nita still has a heavy heart.
  
  As the yuletide tale unfolds, Nita learns that money cannot buy love and happiness. She is reminded of the internal values that outshine any object bought in the market, while her mother gently reassures her. Despite her temporary sadness, Nita finds that she is in fact rich with love and family. The moral of the story is especially important, since the Christmas season is often overwhelmed by consumerism and materialism, especially here in the United States. Nita discovers what it really means to give as she witnesses the miracle of the first poinsettia.
  
  For access to the complete review and additional resources, check out our Vamos a Leer blog at teachinglatinamericathroughliterature.com.
  
• 
  Philip

  Illustrations are very striking and colorful. Storytelling is fairly good with positive multi-cultural references and Spanish words interspersed but the "fable" of it rings a bit hollow - why are we teaching a false history if the Aztecs cultivated poinsettias long before the story's setting....
• 
  Mary T

  Similar to Tomie dePaola's book.
  
  Classroom Tie-Ins: Christmas around the world, legends, poinsettias, Mexico
• 
  Kim

  The story of how the poinsettia became to be associated with Christmas.
• 
  Cathy

  This a colorful picture book about a folktale about a Christmas miracle. It is a fun book to read during this season.
• 
  Hannah

  Great Christmas book!
• 
  Amy Salamon

  Simple, touching story about the origin of poinsettias. I've also read Tomie de Paola's The Legend of the Poinsettia - different beginnings to these stories, but the ending premise is the same. That's what truly makes a legend a legend.
  
  There was enough Mexican culture that non-native people could get a taste of how Mexicans celebrate and what's important to them, but it wasn't overwhelming. In Juanita's thoughts, actions, and family, there was enough here that kids in the United States could identify with. I used it as a read-aloud for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade (English-speaking) students and think it was a good choice.
• 
  Terry

  This is a simple story that is elegantly told. The illustrations (done with watercolor and oil pastels) offer a rich complement to the words. The images are detailed enough to carry the story if you want to use this as a wordless book.
  
  Read our full review at
  the Reading Tub.
• 
  Alice

  I enjoyed the this book and the legend/story behind it. I learned a lot about Mexican Customs and culture in this story. I thought it was good and the pictures were nice. I am thankful in the back there is a glossary of how to pronounce things as I don't speak Spanish. Very Nice Christmas story. Don't Forget to read the authors note at the end Very GOOD!
• 
  Mary Ann

  wonderful story set in Mexico - full of heart and feeling, sensitive to a family not having much money at Christmas - the little girl so much wanted to bring a gift for the baby Jesus, but she didn't have any money to buy one. touching story.
• 
  Tori

  Joanne Oppenheim does a fabulous job with this Mexican folk tale- You can find this and other Barefoot Books on my
  website. Blessings!
  
• 
  Patricia

  This is a nicely told version of the Mexican story of the miracle of the Christmaseve flower, the poinsettia. I might use it in class next year.
• 
  Tanya

  A nice fable. I am getting a little tired of the Mexican fables I've read lately always with a plot line in which poverty is a key device. It just feels stereotypical.
• 
  James Koppert

  based on a traditional Mexican story with a good moral message.
• 
  Christina Reid

  Review to come
• 
  Lupita Ceron-Sierra

  One of my favorite books in Spanish and one of the many I remember my mom reading to me. Although I no longer have this book I remember so clearly what it was about. Juanita was so upset about not having a gift for Baby Jesus and then suddenly on Christmas eve, beautiful red flower called Nochebuena appear to her.
  Another thing I also remember very well were the illustrations. The drawings were so detailed and full of color. You could tell that the illustrator really put a lot of work into this. The shapes were very interesting but in a way very realistic. It really was a book that if it was sitting in a shelf of books it would definitely catch my eye just by the colors.
  I will definitely look into repurchasing this book because aside from being a good story, the drawings are so beautiful.