Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico

Awarded a Caldecott Medal in 1960, this lovely Christmas tale from co-authors Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida follows the story of young Ceci, a Mexican girl who is excited to learn that she is to host her very first posada, or Christmas party. Full of eager anticipation, Ceci has many exciting experiences in the days leading up to the big party, culminating in accompanying her mother to the market to select a pinata. When the posada finally comes however, Ceci isn't sure how she feels about her lovely star pinata being broken apart...

Although Ets was an established children's author in the 1950s and 60s, and wrote and illustrated a number of picture-books, her co-author, Aurora Labastida, who was a librarian at the U.S. embassy in show more Mexico City during the period, only ever worked on this one book. Apparently it was partially written to counteract some of the more stereotypical depictions on Mexican people abroad in American children's books at the time. Although I am not in a position to judge how well the authors succeeded in that goal, Nine Days to Christmas does feel authentic and respectful to me, depicting a then contemporary child and her many daily activities with sensitivity and affection. The artwork, appropriately enough, given that this won the Caldecott Medal, is lovely. I particularly liked the nighttime scenes, with the glowing candles. Recommended to anyone looking for Christmas stories for younger children with a Mexican cultural setting. show less

By Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida

The subtitle is: A Story of Mexico, and this picture book details the preparations and festivities surrounding las posadas, a procession and celebration of Joseph and Mary seeking shelter in Bethlehem. When Ceci’s mother tells her that she is now old enough to stay up for the festivities, she promises that Ceci will be able to have her very own posada, complete with a piñata!

This is a charming story, and the illustrations by Ets are wonderfully detailed. They really took me to the streets of Mexico City. I found myself pouring over the drawings, picking out details, such as the name of stores, the traffic policeman, the tortilla makers, or gaily decorated market stalls. I particularly loved the show more one drawing where Ceci is with the family’s maid, Maria, on her morning errands; Ceci stands near Maria, clutching the hem of the maid’s skirt. It’s just a loving image, and I have memories of similar events in my childhood.

I didn’t find anything about Labastida in the Goodreads profile, so I did a little extra research and found THIS article from Illinois.edu. Labastida was the children’s librarian at the Benjamin Franklin Library in Mexico City. She wrote most of the text of the book, although Ets did polish it. Their collaboration successfully brought the story to life.

My only complaint about this Caldecott-winning picture book, is that most of the drawings are almost uniformly gray, except for a few highlights of bright color – a shawl, Ceci’s hair ribbons, a striped awning, etc. On the other hand, this technique clearly focuses the viewer’s attention on key elements of the illustration.

I think this is a book I’ll want to read again … at Christmas time, while listening to my favorite Mexican Christmas songs album. show less

Ceci eagerly awaits 'Las Posadas', the traditional nine-day series of yuletide celebrations. This year she'll lead the candlelight procession that reenacts Mary and Joseph's trek to Bethlehem. Meanwhile, Mother takes her to the old marketplace to choose her very first piñata. Ceci is dazzled by the colorful array of options, and after making her choice has second thoughts about the fate of her piñata once the posada takes place.

Lovely. A little long, a little quiet - but I love Ceci, and I appreciate that Ets (as it says in her note) tried to be authentic to contemporary Mexico, avoiding the cliches of the peasants & burros.

This book is an amazing book to teach children about a different culture. By reading this book I've learned about a Mexican girl who was extremely excited to host her first posada, which we would call a Christmas party in America. I believe this book was quit long to engage younger children for so long, but by me learning as I read I was fascinated by the culture. Although the illustrations weren't as thrilling because the lack of color and typical pencil sketchy style, overall it was a good read.

Nine Days to Christmas won the Caldecott Medal. This story is about Christmas traditions in Mexico. It explains the story of a young girl named ceci and her family and the Posadas. The nine nights before Christmas, every single night, her family and friends go to different houses to celebrate by singing songs, eating meals with anyone who joins them in the home. Ceci is excited because this is her first year being included in the Posadas and she gets to pick a piñata. She picks a beautiful golden star and when the children come to her house to celebrate, she is upset that they are hitting it. Just as she is about to cry, she hears a real star whisper to her that it will always be safe in the sky and it will always be shining for her. I show more really enjoyed this book because I learned a great deal of another Christmas tradition. It is way different than what I do every Christmas so I learned a lot. I never heard of Posadas before until this book. I think it's a great book to read to children so they can learn different cultures and traditions. The illustrations are really pretty. show less

This is a nice story for studying Christmas around the World. Great pictures and traditions from Mexico. A little bit long for my younger ones. Gabina's a cute kid. Was trying to guess where the book takes place... the pond looks like a park I went to in Mexico City. I loved this book!!!