About This Book
Rudolfo Anaya's 'The Farolitos of Christmas' is a tender historical fiction story set in New Mexico during World War II. It follows young Luz, whose father is away at war and whose beloved grandfather is too ill to make the traditional luminarias for Christmas. Luz, with her mother's help, takes on the challenge of creating farolitos, or little lanterns, to light their way and keep the spirit of Christmas alive. This book beautifully explores themes of family love, cultural heritage, resilience in the face of hardship, and the joy of keeping traditions. It's suitable for children aged 4-11, offering a gentle introduction to historical context and the importance of community and family bonds during difficult times.
With her father away fighting in World War II and her grandfather too sick to create the traditional luminaria, Luz helps create farolitos, little lanterns, for their Christmas celebration instead.
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Discussion Prompts
1
What are some special traditions your family has for holidays or other times of the year?
2
How do you think Luz felt when her father was away and her grandfather was sick?
3
What does it mean to be resilient, and how did Luz show resilience in this story?
4
Have you ever helped your family with a big project or tradition? How did it feel?
5
What do the farolitos symbolize in the story?
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