PROLOGUE

The golden glow of the candle filled the room as a young girl and her grandma huddled close together. The flame danced off the young girl's oversize glasses as she kept her eyes shut.

“Abre tus ojos...” said the abuela, gazing lovingly at her granddaughter. “Open your eyes.”

The young girl, named Mirabel, opened both eyes and saw a wondrous, magical candle rippling with firelight magic. “This is where our magic comes from?” she asked her abuela.

“Mm-hmm, this candle holds the miracle given to our family.”

“How did we get a miracle?”

Abuela folded an arm around Mirabel's shoulder, and the candle glowed brighter. As Abuela began the story of the miracle, Mirabel could see it unfold in each flick of the flame: In their humble home, young Abuela Alma and her husband, Pedro, gazed down in adoration at their three newborn babies. On a table nearby, the same candle glimmered gently.

Suddenly, a harsh blaze exploded outside their home. The young couple's adoring smiles disappeared.

“Long ago, when my three babies had just been born, your abuelo Pedro and I were forced to flee our home.”

Pedro, holding the candle, led a group of frightened people as they struggled across a beautiful river.

“And though many joined us, hoping to find a new home, we could not escape the dangers...and your abuelo was lost.”

Abuela's eyes shimmered in the candlelight as she recalled the night her young family fled the violence that had swept through their town.

As Mirabel listened to her grandma's story, she snuggled close, worried for the families. She could see them as they crossed a river together. Suddenly, Pedro glanced back. His hopeful gaze turned troubled. Danger had followed them, and he had no choice but to face it and protect his family. He looked lovingly into his wife's eyes, handed her the candle, and left to confront the threat.

The candle's flame dwindled, and darkness drew closer. Young Abuela knew that something terrible had happened. Pedro was not coming back.

Filled with grief, she knelt by the river and prayed with the candle in front of her. When all seemed lost, the candle suddenly flickered alive, bright and strong. And then butterflies, full of light, swirled and banished the darkness. The earth rumbled and mountains rose, forming a protective valley around the families.

“The candle became a magical flame that could never go out and it blessed us with a refuge in which to live. A place of wonder...an Encanto,”Abuela said. “The miracle grew, and our house, our Casita itself, came alive to shelter us.”

Young Abuela's prayers had been answered. The candle grew brighter, and from the earth, a magnificent house formed. She found herself and her triplets in the courtyard of a spectacular casa that was as alive as they were! It welcomed them by flapping its window shutters. The tiny babies squealed in amazement.

“When my children came of age, the miracle blessed each with a magic gift to help us,” Abuela Alma continued. “And when their children came of age—”

“They got magic, too,” Mirabel interrupted, smiling excitedly.

Mirabel saw the three babies, now five years old, each in front of their own door. The magic candle guided them to receive their special gifts. As they touched the doorknobs, a bright light radiated, filling each of them with a magical gift. The house quickly created bedrooms that matched their special gifts.

“That's right. And together, their magical gifts have made our community a paradise.”

With the magic, the wilderness that surrounded the house transformed into a land of sunshine. Tall wax palm trees stretched toward the blue sky, and lush fruit trees and colorful flowers bloomed all year long. And it all started with Abuelo Pedro's sacrifice to protect the family.

Mirabel stared in awe at the candle. How could something so small be so powerful?

Her abuela snuggled her, bursting with pride.“Tonight, this candle will give you your gift, mi vida. Strengthen our community, strengthen our home. Make your family proud.”

“Make my family proud,” Mirabel repeated with a steady voice.

Fireworks exploded outside, and the house signaled that it was time to begin.

“Yes, yes, Casita, we're going,” Abuela chuckled.

The house slid Mirabel her shoes. It was as excited as she was for this big moment. As Abuela and Mirabel paused in front of the door, they held hands.

“What do you think my gift will be?” Mirabel asked Abuela.

Abuela bent down to Mirabel. “You are a wonder, Mirabel,” she said, oozing love and pride.“Whatever gift awaits will be just as special as you.”

Mirabel held the candle in her tiny hands. She could feel the warmth and possibility. She was ready to receive her gift and make her family proud!