Nine Days to Christmas
Written by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
Published by: The Biking Press 1987
Grades: 2-4
Genre:Multicultural, Picture Book
Award: Caldecott Medal
Synopsis: This book tells the story of a little girl Ceci and the Christmas tradition that she follows in Mexico.It tells about how she is now old enough to celebrate her first ever posada.In the nine days before Christmas, a party is given each night in the Mexican Christmas celebration. In the days leading up to the festival she gets to participate in many traditions.Ceci gets to pick out a piñata which will be used during the party.She chooses a star shaped one which she becomes to love.When it is time for her and her guests to break it she becomes dismayed and wants to leave her piñata the way it is.When the piñata breaks she is upset, but sees the real star that it turns into.The star turns out to be Ceci’s gift to the world.
Theme/Skill: Traditions, Mexico, Christmas, Family, Hispanic Heritage.Good things are worth waiting for.
About the Author: Marie Hall Ets
Marie Hall Ets was born in North Greenfield, Wisconsin.She went to college in Appleton, WI at Lawrence College and attended art institutions in Chicago, New York, and London.In November 1917, she married Milton Rodig.She worked as an artist after she moved to San Francisco.When her husband died a year later, she pursued a career as an author and illustrator of children’s books in the Midwest.In 1960, she won the Caldecott Medal for Nine Days to Christmas.She is also the author and illustrator of books including Play With Me, In the Forest, Just Me, andGilberto and the Wind.She passed away in 1984.About the Author: Aurora Labastida
Information unable to be found.Pre-Reading Activities: Bring in a piñata for the class to look at.Ask them when the use piñatas and what they associate it with.Have the students look at a map of Mexico and read about what posada are and why they use piñatas for them.Have the students write down three facts from what they read such as what are piñatas and where can you find them.
Post-Reading Activities: Students will write down what is at their Christmas party or any party that they have in general such as food and decorations. Then have them compare and contrast it to Ceci’s posada in a Venn Diagram to partner share when they are finished. Then create your own posada in class and fill the piñata you showed in the pre-reading activity. They can sing songs and play games to crack open the piñata.
Additional ideas to use: http://books.google.com/books?id=_Ifn-0yUkI8C&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=nine+days+to+christmas+summary&source=bl&ots=APhEzy-0EX&sig=5Jf5gcPJbHVdTJ1urrQ6XGDqyxo&hl=en&ei=12LZTtbRIcXe0QHv_uz2DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=nine%20days%20to%20christmas%20summary&f=false
Reflection: Although this book was published over 40 years ago, it still can be used in the classroom for a variety of things. Although it is older, it still helps children learn about other cultures that are similar and different to theirs. I think the illustrations help children follow along and capture the real essence of holiday traditions in Mexico. I think that the most classic books that have been around for years are just as necessary as new and up to date books to use in the classroom. Thus, using this book and then experiencing the traditions themselves in class will help them appreciate them more. 
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