The Night of Las Posadas

Blog Post 2

The Night of Las Posadas

Written and illustrated by Tomie DePaola

Appropriate for grades 3-5

Multicultural

Have you ever wondered how other cultures celebrate holidays? Do you have a tradition in any of your holiday or family celebrations? Read this book to discover the Spanish custom and celebration that takes place on Christmas Eve.

The book begins with an introduction to the Spanish tradition called Las Posadas. The story informs readers about the tradition and the preparation involved in this celebration. Throughout the book the reader discovers the events that take place on Christmas Even in Spain and Mexico. It also gives readers insight into the beliefs of Christians in the Spanish culture. To better explain the events of Las Posadas, DePaola creates characters to follow throughout the story. This book enlightens children on how other cultures around the world celebrate a holiday many people here in the United States observe. This story is a great way for students to see the similarities and differences between the American culture that they are exposed to and the Spanish culture.

DePaola does a great job of giving background and explaining the importance and significance of Las Posadas in the Spanish culture. This book provides insight into the Spanish culture surrounding Christmas time. I also noticed how DePaola use Spanish words in various parts of the story to enhance the literary value. DePaola has beautiful illustrations that looked like paintings. He accurately portrayed the setting and the Spanish people in his artwork. The book is colorful and uses many warm tones to correlate to the culture and happenings in the story.

I feel as though the book would be a great resource in the classroom to teach students about other cultures surrounding Christmas time. If there are Spanish speaking English language learners in the classroom it would be a great chance for them to teach the class about their culture and traditions and it would make them feel welcome as well as important. I also appreciated the note from the author, because it makes the book come full circle by explaining how Spanish natives in the United States incorporate this holiday in their new home.

The Night of Las Posadas could be used in the class to make children aware that other countries do have some similar holidays to the United States, but they have their own traditions and customs. It gives students insight into how important this holiday is to the Spanish culture, and may get them excited to read about other cultures and their traditions.

The Night of Las Posadas has great detail and subtly teaches children more about the Spanish culture through the telling of Las Posadas. It shows the importance of religion and community. It also shows how people care for one another.

Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

RL3.2. Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text

RL3.7. Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story.

RL4.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology.