OUR ITALIAN CHRISTMAS EVE

Two young siblings of Italian descent describe the year they saved Christmas Eve.

Danielle and Francesco (the authors and protagonists) narrate their story in the first-person plural, a choice that leads to dialogic constraints and little character differentiation, but those elements are not this tale’s concern. What is? Food and family. After the drive to Aunt Babe’s, the first activity is a group photo; all 22 guests are labeled, from Aunt Tootsie to Baby Meemo. The caricaturelike figures—presenting white, with a multitude of body shapes—have a retro feel, but Grandma Yoo-Hoo’s selfie stick places the night in the 21st century. The action mostly occurs in the kitchen and dining room, where readers learn about a traditional Italian Christmas Eve, from the Feast of the Seven Fishes (note the octopus in the sink) to the bignolati and rosettes. (Backmatter provides information about these delicacies.) The narrative arc peaks at a potential dessert shortage; Uncle Robert forgot to bring the struffoli. Luckily, the children know how to make cheesecake. Lozano’s digital scenes are full of holiday bustle, aunties cooking in high heels, and eye-catching textures and patterns—feathery evergreen branches, the design on the red tablecloth, the shape of stiff spaghetti before it sinks into a pot of water. Common Italian words add linguistic flavor. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

While the drama is low-key, foodies will enjoy this entertaining expansion to the holiday shelf.