With bright, cheerful pictures and a wonderful surprise ending, this warm autobiographical story is told in the voice of Lori, a Mexican American child who lives in a town near the border. Every summer, all the relatives from both sides of the border gather at her aunt's house in Mexico to celebrate the August birthday of Lori's older sister, Cookie. Lori's birthday is in December. As they shop, bake, and prepare for the party and the family reunion, Lori tries to think of the right present for her teenage sister, but she gets a big surprise: this time, Cookie lets Lori have the summer birthday. The big family party and gifts are for Lori. Lopez's gouache and colored-pencil illustrations on bright watercolor paper are filled with celebration. There are full-page scenes of the market, the kitchen, and the family party and also playful details of the food, clothes, decorations, gifts, and pinatas that are part of the festive occasion. (Reviewed May 1, 1997)

Five-year-old Lori's family celebrates her teenage sister's birthday with a grand party and large gathering of friends and relatives from both sides of the Mexican border. Detailed, crayon-bright artwork illustrates the gentle story in which Lori happily discovers that her sister has generously swapped birthdays, and for once, the summertime shindig is actually for her.