Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena

Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
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$18.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
24 per carton
On sale Sep 12, 2023 | 978-0-593-48867-6
Age 3-6 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD700L | Fountas & Pinnell M
Sales rights: World
A festive nochebuena treat for little ones who believe in the magic of Christmas (and the deliciousness of cake)!

On the night before Christmas, a spark of magic lights up Lita's Pastelería, and Esperanza Caramelo blinks open her eyes. Esperanza is a spun-sugar ornament, meant to sit atop the Nochebuena cake—but tonight she whirls through the bakery, singing and dancing, throwing a fiesta with all the other ornaments until . . . disaster strikes! 

Can the cake be saved in time for Christmas? The clock is ticking, but on Nochebuena, anything is possible—and Esperanza never gives up hope.
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"Valenti whips up a delectable tale of whimsical enchantment, with Spanish sprinkled throughout....Like a dash of sweetened wishes." —Kirkus Reviews

"Richly ­illustrated with vibrant colors, this picture book is sure to please." —School Library Journal

"The sweet backgrounds are full of delicious and delightful clues and plenty of other details to keep readers invested as they root for this unlikely heroine." —Booklist

"This book is sure to satisfy any reader’s sweet tooth." —The Horn Book

About

A festive nochebuena treat for little ones who believe in the magic of Christmas (and the deliciousness of cake)!

On the night before Christmas, a spark of magic lights up Lita's Pastelería, and Esperanza Caramelo blinks open her eyes. Esperanza is a spun-sugar ornament, meant to sit atop the Nochebuena cake—but tonight she whirls through the bakery, singing and dancing, throwing a fiesta with all the other ornaments until . . . disaster strikes! 

Can the cake be saved in time for Christmas? The clock is ticking, but on Nochebuena, anything is possible—and Esperanza never gives up hope.

Photos

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Praise

"Valenti whips up a delectable tale of whimsical enchantment, with Spanish sprinkled throughout....Like a dash of sweetened wishes." —Kirkus Reviews

"Richly ­illustrated with vibrant colors, this picture book is sure to please." —School Library Journal

"The sweet backgrounds are full of delicious and delightful clues and plenty of other details to keep readers invested as they root for this unlikely heroine." —Booklist

"This book is sure to satisfy any reader’s sweet tooth." —The Horn Book