Picture book of the week

La Boda: A Mexican Wedding Celebration, by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Andrea Arroyo.
May 1995, Little Brown & Co, Hardcover.
ISBN-10: 0316896268

I love picture books, especially ones with warm, colorful, sweet illustrations. I love rhythmic, poetic language, made simple and accessible to children, and I love truly multicultural books!

This book brings all of these elements together, added to the universal theme of the sacrament of Matrimony. I couldn't help but love it at first sight--or at first reading.

How could one not love the bilingual first person dialog lines, as little Maria attends all of the many celebrations revolving around the wedding of her Alfonso and Luisa? The large families gathered, the music, dances, parades, fireworks, gifts--one, of course, a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe--they all tell the story that culminate in the vows exchanged at church para siempre--for ever.

Alas, as in the case of many good books, this colorful, very Catholic book no longer in print, but try getting it from a used books source or your library!