Jimmy Santiago Baca’s newest collection of essays picks up where his earlier acclaimed book, Working in the Dark, left off. Laughing in the Light is the writer’s first attempt to revisit his past, launching into the past twenty years with a renewed heart and wizened spirit as he shares his experiences, what he has learned along the way, and how his views have changed. Baca delves deeper into contemporary issues as he explores themes ranging from arts, culture, education, and justice reform.

Acclaimed New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya presents a northern New Mexico Christmas tale in this third volume from his Owl in a Straw Hat series featuring the loveable Ollie Tecolote and his Wisdom School classmates Uno the Unicorn, Jackie Jackalope, Bessie Beaver, Sally Skunk, Robbie Rabbit, and Ninja Raccoon. The story begins on Christmas Eve morning in Chimayó and the students play in the snow and decorate a Christmas tree for the classroom. They are looking forward to the evening’s activities. Nana, their teacher, is making posole and chile colorado and has invited some special guests to join them for dinner. After that Nana says they’ll walk to El Santuario to visit the Santo Niño and promises hot chocolate and biscochitos afterward! Along the way, they will act the parts of the shepherds in Los pastores, the Shepherds’ Play, which is about shepherds visiting the newborn baby Jesus and bringing him gifts. At the end of their journey, they too will visit the Nativity and bring their own gifts on this magical night.

The adventures and lessons continue in this second book featuring “Owl in a Straw Hat” (Ollie Tecolote). This book tackles the subject of bullying of classmates for being different. Jackie Jackalope is missing from school and the teacher (Ollie’s grandmother) gets to the bottom of it. The kids have been teasing Jackie about her horns and she has run away to her parents in Pot of Gold Land. A contrite Ollie along with Uno the Unicorn (both guilty of teasing) volunteer to find and bring Jackie back to school. Their journey to Jackie’s home leads to encounters with three guardians of the Dark Forest (NM monsters/legends): La Llorona, El Kookoóee, and Skeleton Woman; and the Golden Carp who allows them to cross Rainbow Bridge. They reach Jackie and apologize and take her back to Wisdom School. Rudolfo Anaya’s magical characters are brought to life by illustrator El Moisés.

From 2004 to 2009, the Albuquerque Journal North ran the ¡ÓRALE! SANTA FE column by Santa Fe native and veteran journalist Arnold Vigil. The editor gave carte blanche to Vigil in his selection of topics ranging from encounters with locals and tourists to social commentary about changes that have taken place over the years. Vigil’s local perspective and humorous insights about Santa Fe, its inhabitants, and visitors struck a chord with readers—native Nuevomexicanos and long-time residents alike. Despite its popularity, the column was discontinued as a result of the economic downturn. Santa Fe Different is a compilation of Vigil’s favorite columns, mostly standing the test of time. Santa Fe is ever-changing but remains a little big town—a major arts center, tourist destination, and the seat of New Mexico government. People unfamiliar with the storied past of New Mexico’s capital city may not realize that there is an established, local community with centuries-old lineage. Vigil’s razor-sharp observances on life and culture in Santa Fe—including its politics and politicians—reveal both its strengths and downright weaknesses, which many will agree with (or not).

Every year in October, visitors gather from all over the world to celebrate hot air balloons at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The stars of the show are the whimsical Special Shape balloons—these fanciful, brightly colored balloons in the form of bees, trees, pigs, clowns, and more delight children and families as they take flight. Nancy Abruzzo, balloon enthusiast and a pilot herself, presents the magic of Special Shape balloons in this children’s picture book for young readers beautifully illustrated by Nöel Dora Chilton.