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Before the first Christmas light is strung, Grandma is hard at work, making thousands of tamales to sell so she can buy gifts for her family! This heartwarming tale, based on a true story, explores a grandmother's boundless generosity, and the irresistible magic of tamales. A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR When the weather changes, but way before the Christmas tree is decorated, Grandma begins her preparations. With so many children and grandchildren in her family, she finds a way to put gifts under the tree-- she sells as many tamales as she can! Masa in one hand, corn husks in the other, Grandma’s just getting started. 15 dozen tamales. As Halloween passes, and Thanksgiving, Grandma is still toiling away in the kitchen: 150 dozen tamales, 700 dozen tamales, 850 dozen tamales. When it’s time to string the lights for Christmas, she’s inching closer to 1000 dozen tamales! Enough to give some to those in need and enough to sell to earn money for Christmas gifts. Based on the author’s own grandmother, who was the heart of the familia, here is a warm story about Christmas, generosity, and, yes, tamales.
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An adorable book about a hardworking grandma who toils in the months leading up to Christmas to make and sell homemade tamales. She uses the money earned to buy Christmas gifts for her kids, and their kids, and their kids. She also gives those struggling during the holiday season tamales for free, as well as other lots of other goodies.
Major themes include thoughtful foresight and preparation, labors of love, and sharing wealth with others, whether by treating loved ones to gifts or by helping to carry neighbors and others in our community through times of scarcity. It pays homage to the author's real grandmother, who one year made an inconceivable 12,000 tamales.
In all, Briseño and Sánchez have crafted a sweet holiday picture book about honoring culture heritage, family traditions, and principles of generosity and mutual aid.