Description

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Tonight there is a celebración for New Year’s Eve.
Rafa has been counting down the hours ‘til they leave.

It’s New Year’s Eve in Spain, and Rafa is excited to stay up for the first time ever to celebrate with his familia at the plaza. There’ll be fireworks and música and . . . grapes? Rafa finds out that he needs to eat a small grape with each of the twelve midnight chimes to bring luck in the New Year. Can he do it? Will he even make it to midnight?

Rafa frowns a little. The lucky grapes are small.
What happens if he drops one, or doesn’t eat them all?

Tracey Kyle’s read-aloud, rhyming text is sprinkled with words in Spanish, while Marina Astudillo’s authentic illustrations capture this popular tradition in all its joy and hope for the New Year. Young readers will be eager to count in Spanish with Rafa and experience this unique, enchanting celebration of culture. ¡Olé!

About the Author

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Tracey Kyle grew up in New Jersey and spent much of her childhood reading and writing poems. After seeing the boy band Menudo perform on a Latino TV station in middle school, she decided to learn Spanish fluently. Eventually she studied in Madrid, Spain. She spends most of her time as "Señora Kyle," teaching Spanish to a fun group of 8th graders. When she's not writing lesson plans or working on a new story, she loves to read, cook and practice yoga. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two cats.

Praise For…

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"With fun rhyming text that rolls off your tongue and vibrant illustrations, The Lucky Grapes will transport you to Spain for New Year's Eve where you will want to savor the food and traditions of the night." —Debra Kempf Shumaker, author of Freaky, Funky Fish and Tell Someone

"In Señora Kyle's trademark rhyming verse, a Spanish New Year's Eve tradition reveals itself through the wonder and awe of young Rafa as he attends his first celebration at the plaza. Fireworks, music, family and fun. And don't forget the twelve lucky grapes, one to bring luck to each month of the year. A fun story for young readers to learn about holiday traditions in Spain." —Terry Catasús Jennings, author of The Little House of Hope and Pauli Murray

"A magical glimpse into a little-known New Year's Eve celebration.  Kyle's rhythmic story dazzles, and Astudillo's atmospheric art sets off fireworks.  Lucky readers!" —Candice Ransom, author of Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten and Only Margaret