The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story

Rudolfo Anaya
Amy Cordova , Illustrator

Spanish translation by Enrique Lamadrid

In this bilingual story of faith, Don Jacobo has a dream that, in the end, is a reminder that miracles do happen. Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andrés how to become a santero. Christmas is coming, snow is falling in the village, and the two are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers.

The half-finished carving stands in the living room beside the two oxen and the angel that don Jacobo carved earlier in the month. The snow-covered mountains are beautiful, but the road to the village is impassable. Andrés's parents will not be able to get to the house for the holiday, and Jacobo's neighbor Leopoldo is desperately ill but cannot get to the hospital.

Then comes Jacobo's dream; San Isidro is plowing with the two oxen and the angel is helping. "But we don't plow 'til April," don Jacobo muses upon awakening. "What does it mean?" The night had been bitterly cold and don Jacobo must bundle up to go to the barn to feed his cows and chickens. As he steps outside, he can hardly believe his eyes. The snow-packed road is clear.

Rudolfo Anaya's story of the power of faith, hope, and love will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Recipient of Special Recognition from The Poetry Center at Passaic (NJ) Community College for their Paterson Prize for Books for Young People.

". . . a simple story of wintertime in Northern New Mexico, of an extended family with a tradition of craftmanship, and of a miracle that saves a life and brings that extended family together. . . The Santero's Miracle is rooted deeply in the land and culture of our state."--Santa Fe New Mexican

"A warm relationship between a boy and his abuelo and a Christmas season of miracles are the focus of a touching holiday tale by New Mexico's world-renowned and much-honored author Rudolfo Anaya. . . This sweet tale about the power of faith and love could well become a Borderland classic."--Las Cruces Sun-News

"Anaya's gift as a masterful storyteller is evident. Readers are drawn to his characters and their emotions during this special time of the year. The illustrator, Amy Córdova, has skillfully portayed the spirit of both the old and new, and her artwork captures a sense of compassion for the characters."--Multicultural Review

"New Mexico's most-respected wordsmith spins a tale of Christmas and the power of tradition, faith and miracles. . . The resolution of this warm, magical tale is sure to be a favorite for children of all ages, and with the story presented in both English and Spanish, side-by-side, it's an oppotunity to stretch one's knowledge of another language. The illustrations are colorful, simple and sure to be pleasing to young readers."--Crosswinds Weekly

"The bright color illustrations practically leap off the page in this joyful and uplifting story meant to be shared."--The Midwest Book Review

"The creative Don Jacobo is a wonderful character and his relationship with Andrés is strong and warm, a good match to the gorgeous paintings in blue, turquoise, and red clay colors of the Southwest."--School Library Journal

Rudolfo Anaya, widely acclaimed as one of the founders of modern Chicano literature, is professor emeritus of English at the University of New Mexico. Anaya was presented with the National Medal of Arts for literature in 2001 and his novel Alburquerque (the city's original Spanish spelling) won the PEN Center West Award for Fiction. He has also received the Premio Quinto Sol, the national Chicano literary award, the American Book Award from The Before Columbus Foundation, the Mexican Medal of Friendship from the Mexican Consulate, and the Western Literature Associationâ??s Distinguished Achievement Award. He is best known for the classic Bless Me Ultima.

Amy Cordova lives in Taos, New Mexico, where she is co-owner of her own gallery, Enger-Cordova Fine Art. She has illustrated many childrens' books and teaches art to elementary school children at the Yaxche Learning Center.

10.5 x 8.5 32 pages 20 color illustrations