Estela's Swap

by Alexis O'Neill, Enrique O. Sanchez (Illustrator)

Overview

A Mexican American girl learns to value the act of giving when she attends her first swap meet.

Estela is excited. This is her first time at Swap Meet, and she is looking forward to selling her music box to earn money for folk dancing lessons at the Ballet Folklórico.

As Estela waits for customers, a strong wind suddenly sends everything flying. Estela rushes to help a woman selling flowers across the way, but she is too late. All the flowers are gone! Estela decides on a simple act of compassion and generosity, which brings her the gift of friendship and a delightful surprise.

Estela's Swap is sure to resonate with all children who have a special wish and work hard to make it come true. Readers will discover the joy of giving — and receiving, too.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781600602535
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	06/24/2005
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	500,745
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Alexis O'Neill is the author of the highly acclaimed Loud Emily (Simon & Schuster), and The Recess Queen (Scholastic), a Junior Library Guild selection. She also works as an instructor at the UCLA Extension Writer's^TM Program and as a writing consultant for several other institutions. The idea for this story came from O'Neill's many visits to swap meets after she and her husband moved to Simi Valley, California, where they live. For more information about Alexis O'Neill, visit alexisoneill.com.

Enrique O. Sanchez has illustrated numerous award winning children's books, including Lee & Low's Abuela's Weave, Amelia's Road, and Confetti. A native of the Dominican Republic, he splits his time between his homes in Bass Harbor, Maine and Miami, Florida.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a warm, nicely paced story about sharing and bartering that's filled with sensory descriptions of the vibrant open market. The textured acrylics capture the hum and bustle of the stalls, but the colorful scenery doesn't overwhelm the story. Sanchez paints the characters in sharp focus, so that they pop out against the blurred, evocative background scenes. A good starting point for classroom discussion across the curriculum." — Booklist

"O'Neill subtly weaves details of trades and bargaining into the fabric of her story to give readers a tangible taste of swaps or flea markets. Sanchez uses richly colored, bright acrylics to render the energy and bustle of a Swap Meet in his full-bleed illustrations The text is skillfully incorporated into the illustrations and the focus on each spread remains firmly on the plucky heroine. All in all, a wonderful bargain." — School Library Journal

"This is a well-crafted tale featuring a Mexican-American father and children will be wonderful for reading aloud to individuals or to groups." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 2-A Hispanic child joins her father and brother at their Swap Meet stall, hoping to sell her music box to earn the last $10 she needs to pay for folk-dancing lessons. Estela meets an older woman who sells paper flowers and is sewing a falda (skirt), and who admires the music box and its sounds that remind her of her childhood. When a strong wind creates a chaos of tumbled goods, tents, and tarps, the flower seller's wares are gone. In a gesture of generosity and compassion, the little girl gives her the treasured box so she can listen to the music as she makes more flowers. At the end of the day, the older woman presents Estela with the falda as a swap for her music box, creating a satisfying end to a day of excitement. O'Neill subtly weaves details of trades and bargaining into the fabric of her story to give readers a tangible taste of swaps or flea markets. Sanchez uses richly colored, bright acrylics to render the energy and bustle of a Swap Meet in his full-bleed illustrations. The text is skillfully incorporated into the illustrations and the focus on each spread remains firmly on the plucky heroine. All in all, a wonderful bargain.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Estela goes with her father and her brother to the Swap Meet, hoping to earn the ten dollars she needs to pay for folk-dancing lessons by selling a colorful music box that plays Cielito Lindo. After they have set up their stand, her father introduces her to the art of bargaining. Estela handles the customers' offers well, but no one wants to pay anywhere near the price she's asking. When a sudden gust of March wind blows away, all the paper flowers of the friendly woman in a neighboring stand, Estela impulsively gives her the music box that no one has purchased. "Suddenly she knew what she had to do, even if it meant she wouldn't earn any money today." In a surprise ending that careful readers may anticipate, Estela is surprised to receive something wonderful in return. " 'Since we are at a Swap Meet,' the woman said, 'it is only fair that we swap.' " Sanchez's (Speak English for Us, Marisol!, not reviewed, etc.) colorful pastels effectively focus attention on the main characters and objects by delineating them clearly, while softening the outlines of the others. Seven Spanish names and expressions are included in a glossary and pronunciation guide on the half-title page, where, unfortunately, they may be overlooked. This well-crafted tale featuring a Mexican-American father and children will be wonderful for reading aloud to individuals or to groups. (Picture book. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews