La Noche Before Three Kings Day by Sheila Colon-Bagley was such a delight. It was a trip to my childhood when Mamí would tell me stories about how she grew up celebrating Three Kings Day. She would leave a box with straw and hay for the camels, and she and her siblings would go to bed early from the excitement of anticipating the arrival of the Three Kings. I always wanted to spend the holidays in Puerto Rico as a child just so I could leave hay for the camels, but I never got to spend the Christmas season in Puerto Rico. Many people don't know this but Three Kings Day. For Puerto Ricans is a big deal and it ends the holiday season for us.


The author did a great job about conveying the excitement for Three Kings Day throughout the story. I loved how she showed the importance of family coming together in celebration and the wonder of children. The illustrations by Alejandro Mesa were gorgeous. The highlight for me was seeing that the family was Afro-Boricua. We don't get this representation a lot in books and it made me smile to see pictures that looked like my own family. I will treasure this one forever because it got me all in my feels and transported me back to my childhood. This was a perfect read for Puerto Rican Heritage Month.

If you're looking for more Three Kings Day stories, check out:

📚 Un Coquí de Borinquén Con Los Reyes a Belén by Lara Mercado

📚 Celebrate Christmas  and Three Kings Day with Pablo and Carlitos by Alma Flor Ada

Thanks to @harperkids and @hearourvoicestours for the gifted copy.