Making Tamales is a family tradition and community ritual among Mexican, Mexican-American people that is also shared by a diverse mixture of Latin American cultures. The tradition of making tamales with extended families especially during the Christmas holidays can help develop a sense of unity and community, and breaks down borders and barriers between people and cultures.
A gathering of families to make tamales during the holidays is always a welcome opportunity to be together for conversation and food. And sitting together to read as a family is a good way to start the evening.
Below are two videos: one is a bilingual recording by Marta V. Martínez, RILA's Executive Director, that you can listen to if you do not have a copy of the book. The other is a video of Chef Carmen, from Casa Azúl Taquería in Providence, RI, going through the steps on how to make your own tamales, after you finish reading the book.
We have limited copies of Too Many Tamales each in both English and Spanish for sale at $10 each — E-Mail us to order and stop by to pick it up. Or to reserve a copy and pre-pay, scan the QR code below and then be sure to make an appointment to pick it up in time for the holidays.
A gathering of families to make tamales during the holidays is always a welcome opportunity to be together for conversation and food. And sitting together to read as a family is a good way to start the evening.
Below are two videos: one is a bilingual recording by Marta V. Martínez, RILA's Executive Director, that you can listen to if you do not have a copy of the book. The other is a video of Chef Carmen, from Casa Azúl Taquería in Providence, RI, going through the steps on how to make your own tamales, after you finish reading the book.
We have limited copies of Too Many Tamales each in both English and Spanish for sale at $10 each — E-Mail us to order and stop by to pick it up. Or to reserve a copy and pre-pay, scan the QR code below and then be sure to make an appointment to pick it up in time for the holidays.
Too Many Tamales Read-Along
Here is a Read-Along video, read in Spanish by RILA's Executive Director, Marta V. Martinez. To order a copy of the book in Spanish and/or English, see below above.
Tamales Recipe
Learn how to make your own tamales from Chef Carmen of Casa Azul Taquería in Providence. Download a copy of the recipe in advance so you can purchase ingredients as you follow along.
Champurrado is a traditional Christmas drink that goes well with tamales. It can also keep you warm on a cold Winter night. It sticks to your belly and warms you up early in the morning before you go out to work or school.
- Community Tamalada 2023
- When: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Where: La Galería del Pueblo, 209 Central St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Time: 10am - Read Aloud; 11:am - Community Tamalada
Cost: $10 per family (3 family members max) - includes copy of the book or one dozen tamales. Individual tamales on dollar ($1) each.Read-Aloud: Beginning at 10am, families are welcome at the Adams Public Library, locatedat 205 Central St. (directly next to La Galería @RILA ), to enjoy a bilingual reading of Gary Soto’s famous and beloved Mexican-American Christmas story, Too Many Tamales. Ample parking available at the library. Masks will be optional in the presence of young children.★ Registration to the Read-Aloud includes a copy of the book, we have a limited number available either in Spanish (Softcover) or English (Soft and Hard Cover available). Click below to register.NOTE: If you notify us in advance that you'd like a book, we will set aside a copy for you to pick up at the event. Limited number of books available, so first-come-first-serve.
If you do not wish a to have a copy of the book, your $10 donation will go towards a dozen tamales to take home. You can also take additional tamales home at $1 each. See below for details.Community Tamalada: Starting at 11AM, next door, at La Galería del Pueblo, come and learn how tamales are made and join us in making your own. We will also provide samples of champurrado, a traditional Mexican drink made of maize (corn meal) and Mexican chocolate that is perfect for cozy evenings during the holidays. Note: The champurrado we offer is made using dairy-free Almond milk.
✫ There is a $10 fee for the event, which covers a copy of the book and food ingredients • Please click on the green button below to register. If you do not wish to have a copy of the book, your $10 donation will go towards the purchase of a dozen tamales to take home after the tamalada. When the event is over, you can take additional tamales home at $1 each.
