Emerita Romero-Anderson

Email - emerkent@​gojade.org

In the 1790s, in a tiny Spanish Colonial village in the Kingdom of New Mexico, pottery is as crucial to starving villagers as the rains that might save their scorched bean fields. But Native potters are sending their wares south to markets in Chihuahua. When his widowed mother's only bean pot cracks, eleven-year-old Raymundo knows his family's last hope lies with Clay Woman, a Genizaro outcast and quite possibly a powerful witch.
In addition to drought and famine, Raymundo faces the return of Comanche raiders and his mother's failing health as he risks all to learn Clay Woman's secrets. Even as he prays for a miracle, he knows he must summon the wherewithal to save his family -- and his people.


This book has been nominated for awards in several categories: Jane Addams Children's Book Awards; Latino Books into Movies Award; New Mexico Book Awards; Scott O'Dell Book Award; Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award; Pura Belpre Book Award

The book launch for Milagro of the Spanish Bean Pot was a huge success thanks to the students, teachers and administrators at Centennial School in San Luis, CO.

Emerita and illustrator, Randy, presented a book talk to students 4th through 12th grades. Emerita read passages from the book, and Randy talked about the creative process for the illustrations.

The students then rotated to three activities. Randy worked with them on bookmark designs for the book. Five will be selected to help advertise the book and get the artists work out there.

Then they went to design their cultural quilt square. Every student designed one and the squares will be sewn together to make a quilt.

The third activity was to go to the library for a book give-away. Each student in school picked a book to take home.

Emerita then read her picture book to grades K-3.

Emerita had her book Milagro of the Spanish Bean Pot as a door prize. Students 4-12 got a coupon, and the drawing was at 3:00. Fidel Gamboa won the door prize.


BOOK REVIEWS: (Excerpts)

Barnes and Nobel Book Review
Lois Rubin Gross

The story is told with the fluid rhythms of the Southwest, the cadence of a Spanish story told in English. Raymundo is a muli-dimensional character struggling with issues of faith and why his miracle icons will not bring the much needed rain to save his bean crop or provide a means of fixing his mothers cracked bean pot. He is a boy with an open mind and an open heart. His dedication to learning and loyalty to his friends and family are admirable traits. It is wonderful to find a book that raises issues of cultural differences in a respectful context that educates all readers.
Randall Pijoan's illustrations evoke the colors and primitive beauty of Santa Fe artists and brings an authentic look to the text.

Western Writers - Western Book Shelf (westernwriters.org)

This is an interesting look at early New Mexico history in the Spanish Colonial era. Grinding poverty is a sobering facet of the story, as is the belief in witchcraft, and the constant labor required just to live. The story is a bit dark, but is well-written and an entertaining introduction to history. The illustrations are excellent, and the Spanish to English glossary is very helpful.

The Elk City Daily News, Elk City, Oklahoma July 17, 2011
Dee Ann Ray

This new book for middle readers is written in English with a Spanish word glossary in back. It is a fictional story set in the 1790's in a small Spanish Colonial village in the Kingdom of New Mexico. The loss of the family clay bean was a tragedy because there were no replacements. Emerita Romero Anderson, is a retired teacher and a resident of San Luis, Colorado. The beautiful illustration are done by Randy Pijoan, a resident of Amalia, New Mexico.

Baytown Sun, Houston

"This is a great teaching book for accepting diversity and learning how others lived before us.

Randall Pijoan frames colorful illustrations to go beyond the text with extra details to place the reader in a 1790's Spanish colonial village."

Joan Martin___


Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo Colorado

"Emerita Romero-Anderson is back with another book for young readers woven with the culture of northern New Mexico and the San Luis Valley.

Romero-Anderson's third book, a historical novel, called Milagro of the Spanish Bean Pot, features a young boy who transcends the prejudices of his elders to keep his family from starving."

Matt Hildner___


Albquerque Journal, Albuquerque New Mexico

"Sometimes it takes a village, though not always one defined by boundary lines.

In the case of author Emerita Romero- Anderson, she had valuable help of 'villagers' on a long road to publication of a historical novel for young readers."

David Steinburg___


Costilla County Free Press, San Luis, Colorado

"This engaging chapter book which takes place in a tiny Spanish colonial village in the Kingdom of New Mexico during the late 1790's, will keep its readers turning page after page."

Iva Gallegos___


La Sierra, San Luis Colorado

"In the San Luis Cultural Center in her southern Colorado hometown, author and retired school teacher Emerita Romero-Anderson, recognized two bean pots as belonging to the Spanish colonial pottery tradition of her ancestors. Inspired to convey that little-known aspect of culture to young readers, she crafted a story set in an earlier era that resonates with themes of tolerance and cooperation today."

Maria C. Martinez___