A zeal for Zozobra: Children's book stars an intrepid boy on a quest to learn about Old Man Gloom

Zozobra is the 50-foot-tall effigy that burns every year in a public ceremony in Santa Fe. Legend has it that the flames liberate the worries and troubles of spectators.

Now comes a charming new children’s book that draws on the Zozobra legend.

It’s titled “Zozo’s Adventure and the Flame of Hope,” written by Jamie Aranda of Santa Fe and illustrated by her sister Nicole Aranda.

Zeal for Zozobra: Children's book stars an intrepid boy on a quest to learn about Old Man Gloom

Jamie Aranda said her book was inspired by a figurine of Zozobra that has enchanted her twin daughters.

“They had a long stay in the (University of New Mexico Hospital) neonatal unit. When we brought them home, they were fascinated by (the figurine),” she said in a phone interview.

Aranda didn’t find any children’s book on Zozobra in a Google search. So she talked to her husband about writing a book on Zozobra for children, particularly for their daughters.

In the book, Zozo is the nickname of a boy named Lorenzo who lives in Santa Fe. He’s described as being “lovable, curious and slightly mischievous.” Zozobra’s annual burning triggers Zozo’s curiosity about the giant marionette that’s made of sticks, paper and cotton cloth.

So Zozo packs a tamale, agua fresca and biscochitos and heads out on an adventure through Santa Fe’s historic streets.

On his journey, Lorenzo encounters the Wise Owl, the Playful Coyote and the Friendly Jack Rabbit. Each shares with Zozo tales of the magic that Zozobra possesses.

With the animal friends as his guide, Zozo reaches the big event where Zozobra, growling loudly, stands with his bright hair and his big eyes looming over Fort Marcy Park.

Zozo sees people gathered in the park singing, dancing and playing musical instruments as they anticipate Zozobra’s fiery demise.

Zozo notices something he didn’t expect to see: The worries of the people at the burning are “transformed into colorful dreams and happy thoughts, fluttering into the night sky.”

The burning of Zozobra is an annual event held before the Santa Fe Fiestas.

As the book states, “This is a magnificent time of year … creating a magical display that fills the hearts of all with happiness.”

Jamie Aranda said that attending the burning of Zozobra has been a community activity for many families in Santa Fe. “It is something my parents and my grandparents went to,” she said.

The publication of “Zozo’s Adventures” comes on a special year: 2024 is the 100th anniversary year of the burning of Old Man Gloom, as Zozobra is sometimes called.

The book is the first for Jamie Aranda as an author and the first for sister Nicole Aranda as a book illustrator.

In searching for an illustrator for the book, Jamie Aranda said her sister reached out to her, saying she’d be interested in doing the art. “I said, ‘Of course!’ ” Aranda recalled.

Aranda said she had professional help with the book’s layout from children’s book designer Nate Myers.

She said that the targeted audience for the book is early childhood.

Aranda hopes the book will acquaint children with the idea of Zozobra, for families to reminisce about the event and about being in Santa Fe. In that way, maybe people will become more closely connect to the community.