¡Nos vamos de parranda!
En este encantador y enérgico cuento navideño, una niña descubre su propio ritmo mientras participa con su familia en una parranda (un canto de villancicos y aguinaldos puertorriqueños). Disponible en español y perfecto para los fans de De aquí como el coquí and Pepe y el desfile.
Durante la temporada navideña, una niña se une por primera vez a una parranda con su familia. Los parranderos viajan de casa en casa, cantando y bailando al son de sus canciones navideñas favoritas. La niña intenta cantar y tocar diferentes instrumentos, pero ninguno suena del todo bien.
Al acercarse el final de la parranda, ella se empieza a preocupar que nunca va a encontrar su propio ritmo... hasta que un regalo especial de Papi la ayuda a comprender que la música siempre ha estado dentro de ella, es la música del corazón.
Trade Reviews:
KIRKUS REVIEW — Bursting with warmth, music, and family tradition, this joyful celebration invites readers to join the festivities.
A Puerto Rican family observes Christmas.
It’s the holiday season, and a young girl is joining her family on a parranda, a late-night tradition in which groups surprise friends and neighbors with festive carols accompanied by traditional folk instruments, share food, and continue from house to house. Excited to take part for the very first time, the protagonist soon begins to wonder where she fits in as a parrandera. She tries playing the drums, the güiro, and the panderetas, and even singing, but nothing feels quite right. As the night draws to a close, she worries she may never find her place. Then her Papi hands her a pair of palitos. These short wooden sticks are deeply connected to Puerto Rico’s “precious cancionero” (“the heartbeat of our Island song”), and she’s inspired to make music. At last, she discovers her rhythm and realizes the music has been within her all along, strengthened by the love of her family. Rodriguez’s rich jewel-toned illustrations beautifully capture the energy of the nighttime celebration while showcasing the diversity of Puerto Rican families through a wide range of skin tones. Rhythmic verse and gentle repetition echo the cadence of traditional Christmas songs, immersing readers in the music of the story. The young protagonist’s uncertainty about finding her role feels genuine and relatable, making her eventual confidence especially rewarding. Bursting with warmth, music, and family tradition, this joyful celebration invites readers to join the festivities.
A dynamic and delightful holiday tale. (author’s note, info on musical instruments, Spanish glossary) (Picture book. 3-8)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW — It’s a gratifying narrative about finding, and sharing, one’s beat.
Catchy phrases by Cuevas and dynamic art from Paola Rodríguez celebrate the festive spirit of Puerto Rico’s holiday season in this joyful picture book. A family head out at midnight for a parranda, traveling by car across the island to surprise relatives and friends (“This is our melody, our harmony, our holiday tradition,/ a gift of folk music and song”). When they arrive at the homes of the unnamed child narrator’s abuelitos, padrino, and more, the child eagerly anticipates taking part in the surprise serenades but struggles to find “a rhythm that sounds like me.” Attempts to join in lead to humorous mishaps: a drum is too tall, a güiro comb goes flying. At last, Papi helps the child discover the perfect instrument: “a pair of palitos,/ perfectly made, just for me.” Digital illustrations, awash in greens, blues, and sherbet hues, envision a bustling, movement-filled community gathering studded with emanata and music notes. It’s a gratifying narrative about finding, and sharing, one’s beat. Back matter includes an author’s note and glossary. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)