★ "A dazzling Yuletide remembrance." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ " A triumphant work jam-packed with activity and pure familial love." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ " Briseño's text, from the point of view of a grandchild, is full of awe for this impressive matriarch." -- The Horn Book, starred review
Before the first Christmas light is strung, Grandma is hard at work, making thousands of tamales to sell so she can buy gifts for her family! This heartwarming tale, based on a true story, explores a grandmother's boundless generosity, and the irresistible magic of tamales.
When the weather changes, but way before the Christmas tree is decorated, Grandma begins her preparations. With so many children and grandchildren in her family, she finds a way to put gifts under the tree-- she sells as many tamales as she can! Masa in one hand, corn husks in the other, Grandma's just getting started. 15 dozen tamales. As Halloween passes, and Thanksgiving, Grandma is still toiling away in the kitchen: 150 dozen tamales, 700 dozen tamales, 850 dozen tamales. When it's time to string the lights for Christmas, she's inching closer to 1000 dozen tamales! Enough to give some to those in need and enough to sell to earn money for Christmas gifts.
Based on the author's own grandmother, who was the heart of the familia, here is a warm story about Christmas, generosity, and, yes, tamales.
