A Birthday Basket for Tia

by Pat Mora, Cecily Lang (Illustrator)

Overview

With the help of her mischievous cat, Cecilia finds the perfect birthday present for her Tía.

Today is Tía's birthday! Cecilia wants to surprise her great-aunt with a very special present. But what could it be? Could it be Tía’s favorite mixing bowl that she and Cecilia used to make delicious bizcochos? Could it be a ball like the one Tía played with as a little girl in Mexico? With the help of her cat, Chica, Cecilia plants the perfect surprise. And Tía has a very special surprise for Cecilia, too!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689813283
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	05/01/1997
Series:	Aladdin Picture Books Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Pat Mora is a well-known poet and author of many children's books, including Pablo’s Tree. She divides her time between Cincinnati, Ohio and the Southwest.

Cecily Lang illustrated Pablo’s Tree and has also illustrated textbooks and magazines. She lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

The young narrator of this poignant picture book discovers that the best gifts are not always store-bought. Cecilia is stumped when it comes to getting a present for her great aunt's 90th birthday. She finally settles on filling a basket with reminders of all the good times Tia and she have shared. A mixing bowl recalls days spent baking cookies; a teacup holds memories of the special brew Tia prepares when Cecilia is sick. The thoughtful present is a hit when Tia unveils it at her surprise party. Mora's text flows smoothly from one event to the next, and clearly presents the careful planning behind Cecilia's gift-gathering mission. Repetition of the items inside the basket and the occasional use of Spanish words are helpful reinforcements for young readers. Two cavils: Mora's text tends to go on a bit too long, and the many asides Cecilia addresses to her cat Chica become somewhat intrusive as the story progresses. Lang's cut-paper illustrations provide a vivid picture of a diverse and dynamic Mexican American family. Warm brown skin tones contrast nicely with bold reds, blues and oranges to lend additional Latin flavor. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 2-- Cecilia is excited by the approach of her great-aunt Tia's 90th birthday. The elderly woman has always been a special friend to both the bright-eyed heroine and her cat, Chica. For a gift, Cecilia hits on the idea of a basket filled with all the things that symbolize togetherness with Tia: a bowl for baking cookies, a cup for having tea, flowers for their times outside. Her delight in filling the basket is matched by Tia's as she enjoys the tributes. Vibrant, detailed cut-paper illustrations portray family warmth and individuality with verve and panache. This book, like Polacco's Thunder Cake (Scholastic, 1989), shows the close relationship between a child and an older relative (in this case, a family of Mexican-Americans). Young readers will be engaged by the cumulative nature of the story while savoring this family's similarities to and differences from their own. --Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA

School Library Journal