Esperanza Caramelo (English)
Penguin Random House / Knopf
(Sept. 12, 2023)
Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
On the eve of Nochebuena, a spark of magic lights up Lita’s bakery. Esperanza Caramelo opens her eyes. Esperanza is a sugar figurine 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! A Christmas cake emergency ensues, and time is running out, Will Esperanza and her friends be able to save Nochebuena?
This book is inspired by my Abuelita who was a wonderful baker and story maker. Below are some of the original sugar figurines she made:
Educational Resources:
- ART ACTIVITIES: download some beautiful flowers and a cat to color, or a cut-and-paste activity to make and decorate your very own cake.
- DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: download questions designed to guide young readers to explore this text more deeply with social/emotional analysis, critical thinking questions, and opportunities to flex their creativity.
