The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story

by Amy Córdova, Enrique R. Lamadrid (Translator)

In this bilingual story of faith, Don Jacobo has a dream that, in the end, is a reminder that miracles do happen. Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andr?'s how to become a santero. Christmas is coming, snow is falling in the village, and the two are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers.

The half-finished carving stands in the living room beside the two oxen and the angel that don Jacobo carved earlier in the month. The snow-covered mountains are beautiful, but the road to the village is impassable. Andr s's parents will not be able to get to the house for the holiday, and Jacobo's neighbor Leopoldo is desperately ill but cannot get to the hospital.

Then comes Jacobo's dream; San Isidro is plowing with the two oxen and the angel is helping. "But we don't plow 'til April," don Jacobo muses upon awakening. "What does it mean?" The night had been bitterly cold and don Jacobo must bundle up to go to the barn to feed his cows and chickens. As he steps outside, he can hardly believe his eyes. The snow-packed road is clear.
Rudolfo Anaya's story of the power of faith, hope, and love will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2004

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book with my ESL students because it is Bilingual in Spanish and English to help them learn English. It is a essentially a children’s book but a good story nevertheless. It is set in a traditional village in New Mexico near Taos. The story relates how carving of Santos (San Isidro in this particular story) is a tradition that most carvers don’t pass down any longer. It is winter and the roads are closed due to snow and ice when a neighbor becomes very sick and needs to go to the hospital. A miracle ensues related to the carved santo.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about faith, santeros,family, and one of my favorite saints.

[Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story with beautiful illustrations; heart-warming and with a strong sense of place (set in northern New Mexico).

[Mantidfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about New Mexican santeros and the book prompted me to read a little more about them on the New Mexico History Museum blog: https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/blog/...

This was a fun, quick read for extensive reading in Spanish; I'd estimate my Spanish is at an intermediate level. I didn't need the English at all, although I did read the English after the Spanish.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Jacobo is a grandfather and a santero who lives in the mountains of New Mexico. He is proud of his college-educated son, but sad that he did not continue the family tradition of working as santeros. His grandson, however, is carving his first santero and is quite good at it.

When heavy snows blankets the town and threatens to keep the family from gathering on Christmas and endangers the life of their sick neighbor, don Jacobo is surprised by the Santo's miracle.

My 2nd grade students loved this book. It is excellent for Christmas reading.

[Cinful Medina]

Great children's reader; especially for children living in the SW

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

a wonderful story of the rich love between a grandfather and his grandson.

[Tonya Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated, and a bilingual book, which was nice for us to practice our Spanish.

[Janine Darragh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story with beautiful illustrations. I struggled with the Spanish, due to my limited knowledge in statue making, which is probably why I did not enjoy it as much as some of the other bilingual children's books I have been reading.