The Road to Santiago

September 22, 2003
Spun from his memories of 1958 Cuba, Figueredo's (When This World Was New) tale gets off to a burdensome start, but later pulses with authenticity and drama. Alfredito and his family find their Christmas plans derailed—literally—when Castro's rebels blow up the train track between Havana, where Alfredito lives, and Santiago, where the extended family gathers at Abuela's. While there are too many ideas introduced in the first spreads, the story improves as the travelers overcome a number of obstacles, with the aid of strangers. They finally arrive at Abuela's house, where "despite the war... it was still Noche Buena, and the world was still good and beautiful." Torrecilla's (The Bakery Lady) bright, sun-washed acrylics often capture the sultry beauty of Christmas in Cuba, but their static compositions flatten the story's impact. Ages 4-up.