Isabel loves spending her Saturdays with her aunts, tias Dulce, Rosa and Clara. On this particular Saturday, she bakes empanadas with Dulce and especially enjoys kneading and rolling out the dough into which they'll put the spiced meat. Then Rosa dresses her as a princess, even using face powder, eye shadow and lipstick. Finally, Isabel and Clara go to the living room to dance until the empanadas are ready. Bernardo's story is full of family activity, though lacking in dramatic tension and problems to be solved. Rodriguez's illustrations are full-color, full-page paintings, facing the pages of bilingual text. Warm, tropical colors predominate, highlighted by strong outlines and simplified realism. The rear endpapers include recipes, in both English and Spanish, for meat empanadas and the spiced beef, picadillo , used for filling. While not an essential purchase for libraries, it will be useful in collections with an emphasis on family traditions and togetherness. (Picture book. 6-9)

Gr 2-4 This story spills over with life, laughter, food, and music. A girl arrives at her aunts house to spend a Saturday. Shes met at the door by Tía Dulce, who soon has her in the kitchen up to her elbows in flour, making meat empanadas. As the pastries go into the oven, glamorous Tía Rosa whisks Isabel upstairs for a beauty and dress-up session. Fully made up and attired in colorful clothing, jewelry, and Rosas high heels, the girl is ready for some dancing. Its a good thing that her energetic Tía Clara gets home just in time to give her some salsa lessons. The party leads up to the appearance of the empanadas hot out of the oven. The full-page illustrations are bold and vibrant, depicting beautiful Latinas enjoying one anothers company. Recipes for empanadas de carne and picadillo are appended.