ESPERANZA CARAMELO, THE STAR OF NOCHEBUENA

On the eve of Nochebuena, a sugar figurine in a bake shop sprinkles a little magic to save a Navidad-themed cake.

As night sweeps over the town, the fading golden sunlight falls upon a sugar figurine named Esperanza, “caked in dust and long forgotten.” She awakens, twirling over to a festive holiday cake as a cat observes. The figurines on the cake remain still until Esperanza shares her sunlight. A singer, a guitarist, and a violinist bring forth music, mugs of punch with sugarcane and cinnamon sticks slip into eager hands, and Christmas blossoms are handed out to the figurine kids. Quite suddenly, the enthusiastic cat joins in, toppling over the Christmas tree atop the cake. A stunned silence fills the air. Is all hope lost? Esperanza and the other sugar figurines begin a long night’s work, readying the cake for the holiday festivities to come. Inspired by her abuelita, a gifted baker, Valenti whips up a delectable tale of whimsical enchantment, with Spanish sprinkled throughout. Occasionally addressing readers directly, her narration has a lyrical feel, like a Christmas fairy tale. Chavarri’s effervescent artwork offers an appealing depiction of Navidad, with all its baked-in promises of magic. Esperanza and the other figures are brown-skinned; guests at the Navidad party are diverse and cued as Latine. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Like a dash of sweetened wishes.