Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena

by Karla Arenas Valenti, Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)

Overview

A festive nochebuena treat for little ones who believe in the magic of Christmas (and the deliciousness of cake)!

On the night before Christmas, a spark of magic lights up Lita's Pastelería, and Esperanza Caramelo blinks open her eyes. Esperanza is a spun-sugar ornament, meant to sit atop the Nochebuena cake—but tonight she whirls through the bakery, singing and dancing, throwing a fiesta with all the other ornaments until . . . disaster strikes! 

Can the cake be saved in time for Christmas? The clock is ticking, but on Nochebuena, anything is possible—and Esperanza never gives up hope.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593488690
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	09/12/2023
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Karla Arenas Valenti is the author of many books for children of all ages. She grew up in Mexico City in a house that was built around a tree and surrounded by magic (which has stayed with her long into her adult years). Her storytelling is seeded in Mexican culture and lore, and often deals in explorations of philosophical and identity-based themes (inspiring the mind) while also taking readers on riveting magical realist adventures (inspiring the heart). She currently resides in the Chicagoland area.

Elisa Chavarri has illustrated numerous books for children including Pura Belpre Honor book Sharuko. She graduated with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she majored in classical animation and minored in comics. Elisa hails from Lima, Peru, and resides in Alpena, Michigan, with her husband and two young children.

Editorial Reviews

"Valenti whips up a delectable tale of whimsical enchantment, with Spanish sprinkled throughout....Like a dash of sweetened wishes." —Kirkus Reviews

"Richly ­illustrated with vibrant colors, this picture book is sure to please." —School Library Journal

"The sweet backgrounds are full of delicious and delightful clues and plenty of other details to keep readers invested as they root for this unlikely heroine." —Booklist

"This book is sure to satisfy any reader’s sweet tooth." —The Horn Book

From the Publisher

09/01/2023

K-Gr 3—In a magical kitchen full of bakery and pastry tools, a cake ornament comes to life. Esperanza Caramelo dances through the pages, bringing the other ornaments to life. Soon, it will be a celebration with cookie cutters, an abuelita, hot chocolate, dancing figures, and a Christmas tree that sits atop the cake. Nobody notices at first when a kitchen cat perks up and wants to play. In their dash to escape the cat, the cake and all the ornaments are overturned. It is up to the ornaments to make sure that the cake is presentable for Nochebuena. The next morning, the baker walks in with the cat on her shoulder. At this point, the narration breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience in the second person, bringing readers into the story: "the baker knew what you and I have all along—her pastelería had been gifted with a touch of magic." Atop and around the cake, mariachis, abuelas, dancing partners, children and sparklers, and family pets are featured as a celebration within a celebration. The last page displays a family's Christmas joy, paralleling the celebration that Esperanza Caramelo and the other figurines had the night before. Each page is a feast for the eyes. Back matter includes the author's photos of her own abuela's pastry creations. VERDICT Richly illustrated with vibrant colors, this picture book is sure to please.—Stephanie Creamer

School Library Journal

2023-08-23
On the eve of Nochebuena, a sugar figurine in a bake shop sprinkles a little magic to save a Navidad-themed cake.

As night sweeps over the town, the fading golden sunlight falls upon a sugar figurine named Esperanza, “caked in dust and long forgotten.” She awakens, twirling over to a festive holiday cake as a cat observes. The figurines on the cake remain still until Esperanza shares her sunlight. A singer, a guitarist, and a violinist bring forth music, mugs of punch with sugarcane and cinnamon sticks slip into eager hands, and Christmas blossoms are handed out to the figurine kids. Quite suddenly, the enthusiastic cat joins in, toppling over the Christmas tree atop the cake. A stunned silence fills the air. Is all hope lost? Esperanza and the other sugar figurines begin a long night’s work, readying the cake for the holiday festivities to come. Inspired by her abuelita, a gifted baker, Valenti whips up a delectable tale of whimsical enchantment, with Spanish sprinkled throughout. Occasionally addressing readers directly, her narration has a lyrical feel, like a Christmas fairy tale. Chavarri’s effervescent artwork offers an appealing depiction of Navidad, with all its baked-in promises of magic. Esperanza and the other figures are brown-skinned; guests at the Navidad party are diverse and cued as Latine. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Like a dash of sweetened wishes. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews