Estela's Swap
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.
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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'sTM 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.
"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
