Colón-Bagley, Sheila. La Noche Before Three Kings Day. illus. by Alejandro Mesa. 32p. HarperCollins. Sept. 2023. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063234321. BL
K-Gr 3–Told in the same iambic rhyme scheme as Clement C. Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” this text takes readers through a family’s Three Kings traditions, including decorating shoeboxes, cooking up a feast, celebrating with music, and bonding with family. The evening routine includes a mother reading to the children before tucking them in, then young readers are introduced to the Three Kings: Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar. Clever illustration hangs the Star of Bethlehem over the family’s home, and when the Three Kings get on their camels and fly away, it is that star that continues to guide them. Text alternates between Spanish and English. Rich illustrations allow readers to play I Spy, affording the chance for reflection of their own holiday traditions or a window to view other’s traditions. The illustrations provide frequent visual cues to allow readers to understand that this holiday is closely connected to Christmas: lights, reindeer, trees, garland, and wrapping paper occupy the pages. Since food frequently bridges cultures, look to the tostones, flans, and pollo guisado to engage young readers. Gendered tasks are dismantled, as dad walks the dog and does the dishes. One page shows Selena and the Puerto Rican flag, both of which open up this cultural tradition to a wide Latinx audience. The book ends with a glossary and pronunciation key so that readers are exposed to multilingualism. VERDICT This title adds a vision of Latinx joy and festivity to collections.–Stephanie Creamer

Jungkunz, Mariel. Dreams of Green: A Three Kings’ Day Story. illus. by Mónica Paola Rodriguez. 32p. Astra. Oct. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781662620379.
K-Gr 3–Lucia eagerly anticipates the celebration of Three Kings’ Day. Worryingly, she and her family moved from Puerto Rico, which has green leaves and lush grass that Lucia could collect and put into a decorative box for the camels. Now Lucia lives in Ohio, a place with a gray sky and white snow blanketing the landscape. The illustrated settings alternate between a vibrant Puerto Rico and a drab Ohio, a contrast of bright green palms, green iguanas, and red flowers, with a variety of grays found in the icicles, frosty breath, and chimney smoke. In this bleak landscape, Lucia and her family find creativity, love, and joy to bring their island tradition to life, digging through the snow to find grass for the camels, making three kings out of snowmen decorated with headscarves and golden crowns, and filling the home with the scent of cinnamony mallorcas. Illustrations capture the magic of Three Kings’ Day, with swirling patterns matching the balmy winds of Puerto Rico, spiraling musical notes filling the living room, whimsical puffs of frosty breath wafting to the guiding stars, and the swish of a white silhouette against a midnight sky depicting kings, camels, palms, and snowy mountains. Lucia learns that traditions can cross oceans and joy can be found, even in colorless landscapes. End pages offer history and the varying ways traditions thrive in different parts of the world, including Mexico, Spain, and Puerto Rico. VERDICT A wonderful addition to library collections.–Stephanie Creamer

Richardson, Melissa Seron. The Last Slice: A Three Kings Day Treat. illus. by Monica Arnaldo. 40p. Little, Brown. Dec. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780316436298.
K-Gr 3–This picture book illustrates the Three Kings Day traditions of Marta’s family. Told in the third person, the story opens with a montage of photos of graduation, marriage, and family. Offset among the family photos is a miniature nativity scene with the three kings, Joseph and Mary, the angel, and the baby Jesus. This scene establishes the connection between Three Kings Day and Christmas. Like so many family gatherings during the holidays, the celebration is set in the kitchen where the Rosca de Reyes, traditional sweet bread, sits on the counter and tantalizes the family members. But Marta is filled with dread. Her family bakes the Rosca with a miniature baby inside the dough. As slices are handed out, everyone waits to see which family member gets the baby, and thus the culinary responsibility of making next year’s Christmas tamales. Marta’s worry is not about the responsibility of cooking, but rather about swallowing the baby. In her mind’s eye, she plays out what happens to her if she does. Will it be like a seed from which weeds grow out of her ears and nostrils? Illustrations capture her worry and humorously contrast the image with her grandpa’s hairy ears and nostrils. As Abuela sits on the couch and explains that the three kings searched mountains and deserts to find the baby Jesus, illustrations feature a king pointing to the Star of Bethlehem. Back matter includes more information about Three Kings Day and la Rosca de Reyes. VERDICT A picture book that weaves together culture, culinary traditions, and Biblical storytelling.–Stephanie Creamer