It's a snowy Christmas Eve on 133rd Street in New York City. José's trying to decorate a Christmas "twig," and Mami isn't happy either, using "a string of words he was not allowed to use--in English or Spanish," partly because their apartment's oven is too small for the roast, partly because she's homesick for Puerto Rico. José jokes that they need a pizza oven, but Papi jumps on the idea. Together, they walk (lugging the roast in a box) to Regular Ray's Pizzeria, past a few grumpy, sad, or suspicious neighbors: "The roast began to feel heavier and heavier." In a wonderful crescendo to a happy ending, Mr. Ray cooks the roast and Papi and José invite him--and everyone else they know--to dinner!
Caldecott Honor artist Marjorie Priceman's richly colorful, glorious gouache-and-ink paintings swirl and whirl, reflecting the irrepressible joy of this lively celebration of holiday spirit by award-winning author Sonia Manzano (aka Maria on Sesame Street). --Karin Snelson, children's editor, Shelf Awareness