(3) K-3 Illustrated by Gerardo Suzan. Rosalia cannot find her hen when it is time for the annual Blessing of the Animals, so she brings one of Blanca's feathers instead. The day ends happily with a successful blessing by the priest and with a new clutch of chicks. Both the engaging text and the lively illustrations contain details that help set the story in a small, rural village in Mexico.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. When merchants come to Erandi's Mexican village to buy hair for wigs, they reject Mamá's because it is not long enough. With great trepidation, Erandi offers her thick, rich braids so Mamá can get a new fishing net. This tale of love and sacrifice is based on an actual Mexican practice in the 1940s and 50s. The facial expressions in dePaola's warm illustrations add to the poignancy of the story. Glos.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley