Author: Marie Hall Ets & Aurora Labastida
Title: Nine Days to Christmas
Illustrator: Marie Hall Ets
Publisher: The Vikings Press
Year: 1959
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Caldecott
Reading Level: Emergent
Interest-Level: Elementary
Topics: Christmas, Mexico, School, Toys
Summary: A little girl named Ceci gets to have her first piñata. She is very excited and so is her doll Gabina. When her mother takes her to the store and she picks out a giant gold star. But when she finds out they are going to break it open she gets very upset and doesn’t want anyone to hit it. While the kids take turns hitting the piñata, Ceci will soon find out all will be well.
Extension Activities:
*Explain to the children how different cultures celebrate holidays, Christmas specifically, differently. Have them make Venn diagrams comparing them to how they celebrate Christmas to how Ceci does. Promote discussion after they make their diagrams so everyone can share how they celebrate.
*Have the students make a piñata: 1. Cut pieces of newspaper into strips. 2. Make a combination of paste using glue and water. 3. Have the students blow up their own balloon to the size they want. 4. Demonstrate how to dip the strips in the paste and to wipe off extra paste. And then put the strips onto the balloon. Once they have dried, the kids can pop the balloon and pull it out. Provide tissue paper so the kids can decorate it however they would like. Lastly, let them fill them with candy to take home or hang them around the classroom.
