The Legend of the Poinsettia

Title: The Legend of the Poinsettia
Author: Tomie dePaola
Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Type: Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: 1-6
Publisher: Puffin
Date of Publication: October 6, 1997
ISBN: 978-0698115675

Synopsis: This book is the retelling of a Mexican legend about the poinsettia, or la flor de nochebuena.  Lucida and her family are preparing for Christmas eve festivities by weaving a blanket to lay in the manger with the baby Jesus.  When Lucida's mother becomes ill, Lucida is unable to complete the blanket by herself.  Instead of joining the procession on Christmas eve, Lucida hides.  She has a vision of an old woman that tells her to take whatever she can find for a gift, since a gift from the heart is the greatest gift of all.  Lucida gathers weeds and carries them into the church.  As she lays them in the manger, the weeds become poinsettias.  Since that day, poinsettias bloom regularly across Mexico during the Christmas season.

Possible Teaching Points: 1) Mexican culture, 2) tradition, 3) poinsettias, 4) holiday traditions