ISABEL'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Isabel dreams of a big, blowout birthday party but must temper her wishes.

Curly-haired, tan-skinned Isabel greets her family on the morning of her birthday brimming with hope. She tells her mother that she’s hoping for a huge soiree with her friends but is disappointed when she learns they’ll be having “a small family fiesta.” Even the giant store-bought piñata she imagined is out of the family’s budget. A mishap convinces her she might not even get a cake, and by the end of the school day, Isabel feels let down by what seems like a ruined birthday. But when she arrives home, Isabel is surprised by a backyard celebration. The piñata and decorations are homemade, and instead of a cake, a tall stack of buñuelos awaits her. Surrounded by family, Isabel delights in the heartfelt, homespun party and realizes her birthday wish has come true in an unexpected way. Zapata honors the disappointment children feel when their hopes don’t align with reality while also modeling resilience and the joy that can come from flexibility. Galvez’s soft pastel hues set a gentle tone, even as Isabel frets that her big day won’t be everything she imagined. Isabel’s multigenerational family members are of Mexican heritage and speak both Spanish and English. A reader’s note, in English and Spanish and written by a psychologist, offers strategies to help children build inner strength.

A warm and uplifting reminder that love and creativity are what make celebrations truly special.