For ages 4-8. 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 Andres 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. Andres'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.

 

This book was recognised in the Picture Book category by the Americas Award.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2004 by University of New Mexico Press .

Rudolfo Anaya, professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico, received the National Medal of Arts for literature in 2001. His novel Alburquerque (UNM Press) won the PEN Center West Award for Fiction. Other Rudolfo Anaya titles available from UNM Press include Jemez Spring, Cuentos Chicanos, The Santero's Miracle, a children's picture book, Heart of Aztlan, and Serafina's Stories.