This warm and joyful story by a Hispanic poet tells of a young girl's search for the perfect present for her great-aunt's ninetieth birthday. Accompanied by her playful cat, Chica, Cecilia puts together a basket of memories representing their favorite activities: I put a red ball in the teacup that is in the flowerpot in the mixing bowl on the book in the basket. Characterized by bold colors, rich textures, and intricately detailed patterns, the inventive cut-paper collages echo the energy and cadence of the cumulative text, which includes Spanish terms and Mexican-American customs. The final surprise at T{¡}ia's party symbolizes the strong relationship between generations--she generously puts down her cane to dance with her beloved niece. Useful as a read-aloud and a read-alone; young children can also count with Cecilia to 90. (Reviewed Sept. 15, 1992)

On the morning of her great aunt's ninetieth birthday, irrepressible Cecilia collects items that remind her of Tia--a favorite book, a special teacup, and a bowl they use to bake together--to put in a birthday basket. The sparkling collage illustrations convey the excitement of the traditional Mexican birthday celebration and the warmth of the relationship.

Great-aunt Ta is 90, and the whole family is getting ready to surprise her on her birthday. While little Cecilia assembles her present, readers glimpse the special times the two have shared: reading, baking, gathering flowers. Cecilia puts mementoes of these past joys into a basket: warm thoughts are the gift, and Ta is suitably touched. Cecilia's lilting narration and occasional use of Spanish combine with Lang's collages to portray a loving Mexican-American household; her sculptured figures in solid colors against spackled, confetti-like backgrounds add to the aura of suppressed festivity. A mischievous cat bumps her way into each picture, lacing the sentiments of this generous tribute to intergenerational love with wit. Cecilia and her family are charming. (Picture book. 2- 6)"

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