Miracle on 133rd Street
What’s inside...
An urban family’s dilemma becomes a community celebration in this delectable holiday treat from Sonia Manzano, also known as “Maria” on Sesame Street. It’s Christmas Eve and Mami has bought a delicious roast for a Christmas feast. But, oh no! It’s too big to fit in the oven. Jose and Papa need to find an oven big enough to cook Mami’s roast. As they walk from door to door through their apartment building, no one seems to be in the Christmas spirit. So they head down the street to find someone willing to help, and only when they do, lo and behold, the scent—the itself magical smell—of dinner begins to spread, and holiday cheer manifests in ways most unexpected. Sonia Manzano from Sesame Street and two-time Caldecott Honor-recipient Marjorie Priceman have cooked up a Christmas tale about how the simplest things—like the tantalizing smell of Christmas dinner and the sharing of it—can become a holiday miracle.
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jose
Mami
Papi
Sal
Discussion points
What do you think is the miracle in the story, and why is it important?
How do the characters in the book help each other, and what can we learn from that?
Why do you think the oven in the story is so significant for the family?
How does the neighborhood come together, and what effect does that have on everyone?
Can you think of a time when you felt a strong sense of community, like in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, validating their responses to foster a deeper understanding.
Relate the story’s themes to your child’s personal experiences, making connections that can help them relate to the characters and their situations.
Discuss the diversity of the characters and the importance of community, emphasizing how teamwork and kindness can lead to positive outcomes.
Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into your child’s thoughts about the book’s resolution and its impact on the characters.
Highlight moments in the book where characters display empathy and ask your child how they feel about those moments.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of community and teamwork.
Explanation: In 'Miracle on 133rd Street', the neighborhood comes together to help solve a problem, demonstrating the power of community and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the strength in numbers and the importance of helping one another, whether it’s in a school project or in their neighborhood.
Example Lesson: Embracing cultural diversity.
Explanation: The story features characters from diverse cultural backgrounds coming together to celebrate, showcasing the beauty of diverse traditions and unity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to respect and enjoy different cultural practices and perspectives, encouraging inclusivity in their own interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills.
Explanation: The protagonist and his neighbors face the challenge of fitting a large Christmas roast in a small oven, which leads them to work together and think creatively to solve the problem.
Real-World Application: Children learn that problems can be opportunities for creative solutions and that thinking outside the box can often lead to success.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing.
Explanation: After solving the oven problem, the community shares a meal, which brings everyone closer and spreads happiness.
Real-World Application: Children can see the value of sharing with others and how it can lead to joyful experiences and stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: Resilience and optimism.
Explanation: Despite the initial hurdle, the characters remain positive and determined, demonstrating resilience and optimism.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to stay hopeful and resilient in face of their own challenges, teaching them the power of a positive attitude.