Maximino Santiago, a wood carver in La Union, Oaxaca made this fun reading penguin ornament for Modela. Mexican folk art for your Christmas tree!

Each one of these reading animals has text on the inside of the book written in Spanish. This text translates to “Life is beautiful” in English.

A tiny silver eye screw is embedded into the top so all you need is a traditional metal hook to attach to a Christmas tree branch. Also, the penguin is free standing to display all year round.

Maximino is an excellent carver that we visit twice a year. His family members paint the animals. He farms when he’s not carving so it’s also interesting to see what he is growing when you visit. La Union is a rural town about 45-60 minutes from Oaxaca depending on road conditions. The Santiago family is a large extended family of wood carvers that live there.

Purchased directly from Maximino this March.  

Size: 1.25” wide x 2.25” high x 1.25” deep