Christmas is all about miracles and so are Christmas stories.
Rudolfo Anaya's latest children's book published by UNM Press is called Santero's Miracle. Need I say more?
The bilingual story is told from the point of view of Don Jacobo, a grandfather who has followed the family tradition of being a santero for generations.
A santero is someone who carves saints, according to the handy glossary of Spanish terms in the back pages.
His grandson Andres is visiting to learn the art of creating saints. Together they carve San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers.
Don Jacobo has a dream that foreshadows the miracle to come. He does not know the meaning of the dream until later.
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Their village in northern New Mexico is covered by a white blanket of snow, another prominent ingredient for Christmas stories, making the roads impossible to travel.
This causes two problems. Don Jacobo's son, wife and daughter can't make it for Christmas, and his neighbor is sick and needs to get to the hospital, but an ambulance can't make it to their village.
This means it's time to say a prayer and ask for a miracle, which Don Jacobo does.
Lo and behold, the saint he and Andres have been working on gives the village and their family an unexpected miracle.
The illustrations by Amy Cordova are soft and inviting. They are reminiscent of looking out frosted windows and writing messages on them with the index finger. The story is a New Mexican taste of Christmas complete with biscochitos.
Enrique Lamadrid, a professor at UNM, wrote the Spanish translation for the book, adding to the New Mexican flavor.
Even though Christmas stories sometimes get old, the cold outside and the thought of hot cocoa can always get you in the mood for a story that reminds you to believe and have faith.
Like most stories - especially Christmas stories - in the end everything works out. Faith is rewarded, and the family is together for the holiday.
The cover of the book says the story suits all ages. I'm 20, and I was excited about the book. I felt like I was 10 again, captivated by the pictures, the winter atmosphere, and the feeling that the holiday season brings the family together.
I guess this Christmas story does what it's supposed to.
Santero's Miracle
Rudolfo Anaya
UNM Press
Grade: B+
