Check out these books and video on El Dia de los Reyes!
Three Kings Day: A Celebration at Christmastime by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Booklist Review: "Gr. 2-5. This colorful photo-essay introduces Three Kings Day, or Dia de los Tres Reyes, and shows the celebration as experienced by a 10-year-old girl in New York's Puerto Rican community. Before the holiday, Veronica's father tells his children the legend of the three kings, who followed the Christmas star and returned with gifts of faith, hope, and generosity. Other holiday activities and festivities include making paper masks and crowns, attending a parranda ("concert of street musicians") with music and refreshments in the church basement, finding gifts on the holiday morning, and watching a Three Kings Day parade in Manhattan. The story is interspersed with discussions of the holiday, its traditions, and Puerto Rican history, wood carving, and musical instruments. The clearly written text conveys a good deal of information in a lively, accessible manner. The many photographs capture the joyful spirit of the holiday as well as recording the children's experiences as their family and community celebrate. A fine addition to holiday collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association."
Booklist Review: "Gr. 2-5. This colorful photo-essay introduces Three Kings Day, or Dia de los Tres Reyes, and shows the celebration as experienced by a 10-year-old girl in New York's Puerto Rican community. Before the holiday, Veronica's father tells his children the legend of the three kings, who followed the Christmas star and returned with gifts of faith, hope, and generosity. Other holiday activities and festivities include making paper masks and crowns, attending a parranda ("concert of street musicians") with music and refreshments in the church basement, finding gifts on the holiday morning, and watching a Three Kings Day parade in Manhattan. The story is interspersed with discussions of the holiday, its traditions, and Puerto Rican history, wood carving, and musical instruments. The clearly written text conveys a good deal of information in a lively, accessible manner. The many photographs capture the joyful spirit of the holiday as well as recording the children's experiences as their family and community celebrate. A fine addition to holiday collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association."
Hurray for Three Kings' Day! by Laurie Marie Carlson
School Library Journal Review: "Kindergarten-Grade 2-Carlson has combined various observances of Spanish-speaking communities into one story. On the evening of January 5th, Anita and her two older brothers walk through the streets of their neighborhood dressed as kings. They go from door to door, looking for the baby Jesus. The young narrator explains, "On this holiday we visit friends and family to talk about and remember the journey of the Wise Men ." The text includes a sprinkling of Spanish words that flow smoothly and naturally throughout. The children spend the following day at home with their parents and relatives, opening presents and eating feast-day foods. Martinez's oil illustrations depict a warm, lively atmosphere and emphasize the youngsters' delight as they participate in the festivities. What is most appealing about this particular picture book is its unassuming presentation. Carlson keeps the story moving and does not allow the narrative to get bogged down in too many facts or details. She has found the perfect voice, a young girl who is excited by the unfolding events. This title may be used with Joseph Slate's The Secret Stars (Marshall Cavendish, 1998), which takes a magical approach to Epiphany.-M.M.H. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc."
School Library Journal Review: "Kindergarten-Grade 2-Carlson has combined various observances of Spanish-speaking communities into one story. On the evening of January 5th, Anita and her two older brothers walk through the streets of their neighborhood dressed as kings. They go from door to door, looking for the baby Jesus. The young narrator explains, "On this holiday we visit friends and family to talk about and remember the journey of the Wise Men ." The text includes a sprinkling of Spanish words that flow smoothly and naturally throughout. The children spend the following day at home with their parents and relatives, opening presents and eating feast-day foods. Martinez's oil illustrations depict a warm, lively atmosphere and emphasize the youngsters' delight as they participate in the festivities. What is most appealing about this particular picture book is its unassuming presentation. Carlson keeps the story moving and does not allow the narrative to get bogged down in too many facts or details. She has found the perfect voice, a young girl who is excited by the unfolding events. This title may be used with Joseph Slate's The Secret Stars (Marshall Cavendish, 1998), which takes a magical approach to Epiphany.-M.M.H. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc."
The Firefly Star: A Hispanic Tale (Three Kings Day) (book and CD) by Sandra Robbins
Booklist Review: "Ages 4-8. The January 6 Hispanic holiday El Dia de los Reyes, Three Kings' Day, is the special holiday when the Three Kings travel through the sky on their royal camels to bring presents to children. This story about the holiday begins with real suspense: "Once it almost didn't happen." The jealous horses in the palace in the sky trick the camels into carrying the kings, not to the children on earth, but in a circle back home to the palace. Then Raton Perez, the little mouse, and Senora Margarita, the ladybug, save the night by setting the clock back so that the kings can start all over again on their journey. No sources are given, so it's not clear what has been "adapted" for this folktale. The mouse-ladybug contrivance with time is not well integrated into the story, but the trickery is entertaining, the colorful folk-art pictures add a sense of pageantry, and the colloquial narrative smoothly integrates Spanish expressions into the storytelling. A companion audiotape is available. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition."
Booklist Review: "Ages 4-8. The January 6 Hispanic holiday El Dia de los Reyes, Three Kings' Day, is the special holiday when the Three Kings travel through the sky on their royal camels to bring presents to children. This story about the holiday begins with real suspense: "Once it almost didn't happen." The jealous horses in the palace in the sky trick the camels into carrying the kings, not to the children on earth, but in a circle back home to the palace. Then Raton Perez, the little mouse, and Senora Margarita, the ladybug, save the night by setting the clock back so that the kings can start all over again on their journey. No sources are given, so it's not clear what has been "adapted" for this folktale. The mouse-ladybug contrivance with time is not well integrated into the story, but the trickery is entertaining, the colorful folk-art pictures add a sense of pageantry, and the colloquial narrative smoothly integrates Spanish expressions into the storytelling. A companion audiotape is available. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition."
Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Three Kings Day!
Amazon.com Synopsis: "Dora Saves Three Kings Day Dora, Boots, and Diego are dressed as kings for the Three Kings Day party, but they'll need your help when Swiper scares off the elephant, horse, and camel taking them there!"
Amazon.com Synopsis: "Dora Saves Three Kings Day Dora, Boots, and Diego are dressed as kings for the Three Kings Day party, but they'll need your help when Swiper scares off the elephant, horse, and camel taking them there!"