Written by: Lynn Joseph.

Illustrated by: Catherine Stock.

If you want a story that shares an overview of Caribbean Christmas traditions, this story is a perfect choice.

There are “plenty things to do” as Rosie helps prepare for Christmas and then celebrates with her family. Rosie and her family make Christmas with traditional foods and drinks (sorrel, black currant cake, aloo pie, soursop ice cream — see my full review for recipes!). Rosie and her brother Ragboy listen to music from a parang band. They also decorate another traditional kind of Christmas tree — a guava branch that they polish white before hanging decorations on it. They also prepare homemade presents, receive special presents from their parents, and go off to church.

It’s a poetic story with a gentle plot about a warm, happy family and their traditions. I also love the illustrations — sunny pastel watercolors that bring Trinidad to life. The author’s note fills in some details about each tradition for the unfamiliar.

This review is part of our Guest Post: Five Books Celebrating Caribbean Christmas.