Two Books for Las Posadas
If you’ve spent even a few minutes on my blog you know that I love using children’s books in the classroom. So it makes sense that in December I like using books to explain holidays, teach songs, and expand the worldview of my students. I’ve got books for Christmas, St. Nicholas Day, Hanukkah, and so much more. One holiday that I always try to highlight and explore with students is Las Posadas.
Las Posadas is a holiday that’s typically celebrated in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and by Latin Americans in the US. The students at my current school didn’t know about the history or traditions of Las Posadas while the students at my old school not only knew about the holiday but celebrated. No matter if your students celebrate or don’t, always good to have more resources for your lessons. Here are two of my favorite books to sing with students as we learn about the Las Posadas tradition.
What is Las Posadas?
First of all, let’s do a quick run down in case you’re familiar with Las Posadas. The words “las posadas” actually mean “the lodgings/accommodations” and refers to the Inn of the Nativity story. This celebration has been a Mexican tradition for over 400 years, starting in 1586. Las Posadas is typically celebrated each year between December 16 and December 24 and the central part of the tradition is reenacting Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and not finding a place to stay when they arrive.
Each evening during the festival, a small child dressed as an angel leads a procession through the streets of the town. Adults, including musicians, follow the procession, which visits selected homes and asks for lodging for Joseph and Mary. Traditionally, when the procession stops at each house the group is refused a place to stay 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 after the service is over families head home to fiestas where children break open piñatas filled with candy, toys, or sometimes money. The piñatas are often shaped to look like a star, which is said to have guided the three wise men on their trip to find the baby Jesus.
‘Twas Nochebuena
It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition. Make tasty tamales and hang colorful adornos (decorations) on the walls. Gather to sing festive canciones (songs) while sipping champurrado (hot chocolate). After the midnight feast has been served and the last gifts have been unwrapped, it’s time to cheer, “Feliz Navidad and to all a good night!”
This book is so perfect for introducing Las Posadas as it follows a family around their preparations and yearly traditions. We see through the kids eyes and enjoy all the greatest moments and traditions. My favorite thing about this book is that it follows the rhyme and framework of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” For example, we read ’Twas Nochebuena and all through our casa, every creature was kneading tamale masa, for one of our holiday tradiciones, is making tamales, not one but montones”. The book tells us about Las Posadas and teaches some Spanish-language vocabulary words. Win win!
A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas
This bright and colorful book teaches about Las Posadas and follows the melody/rhyme scheme of the traditional song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” In this version a little girl receives gifts from a secret amiga, whose identity is a sweet surprise at the book’s conclusion. There are things to find and count in Spanish on every page, with pronunciations provided right in the pictures and a glossary and music following the story.
Don’t worry, this isn’t a direct retelling of the “12 Days” song. This book adds a festive twist on song by populating it with piñatas in place of partridges, plus burritos bailando (dancing donkeys), lunitas cantando (singing moons), and much more, all displayed in the most vivid colors imaginable. It would be perfect to read and include with your favorite resources for teaching the “12 Days of Christmas.” Here’s a blog post all about how I teach that song and other resources you might want to include.
Honorable Mentions and other favorites for the season:
- Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street by Leo Politi
- The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
- Zetta the Poinsettia by Alma Hammond
What books do you love to use in the classroom for Las Posadas? If you have any other suggestions or thoughts leave them in the comments below for other folks to check out when they have a second. And if you need a few more books for all winter holidays check out this list I started.
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