Manuela's Gift — Kristyn Rehling Estes

More than anything, Manuela wants a new yellow party dress for her birthday. But times are hard for her family and what she gets instead is her Mama's blue dress cut and resewn to fit her. Disappointed, she lays down under the pinata Papa has hung for her party and begins to dream that it is filled with new dresses. She also dreams that the pinata holds eggs for Mama to cook, rain for Papa's thirsty corn, and a strong horse for Grandmother to ride when she is tired. Thinking of her family, Manuela discovers that she has much to be thankful for. Kristyn Estes' poetic text and Claire Cotts' magical paintings make this a touching story full of hope and celebration.