Estela goes with her father and her brother to the Swap Meet, hoping to earn the ten dollars she needs to pay for folk-dancing lessons by selling a colorful music box that plays Cielito Lindo. After they have set up their stand, her father introduces her to the art of bargaining. Estela handles the customers’ offers well, but no one wants to pay anywhere near the price she’s asking. When a sudden gust of March wind blows away, all the paper flowers of the friendly woman in a neighboring stand, Estela impulsively gives her the music box that no one has purchased. “Suddenly she knew what she had to do, even if it meant she wouldn’t earn any money today.” In a surprise ending that careful readers may anticipate, Estela is surprised to receive something wonderful in return. “ ‘Since we are at a Swap Meet,’ the woman said, ‘it is only fair that we swap.’ ” Sanchez’s (Speak English for Us, Marisol!, not reviewed, etc.) colorful pastels effectively focus attention on the main characters and objects by delineating them clearly, while softening the outlines of the others. Seven Spanish names and expressions are included in a glossary and pronunciation guide on the half-title page, where, unfortunately, they may be overlooked. This well-crafted tale featuring a Mexican-American father and children will be wonderful for reading aloud to individuals or to groups. (Picture book. 6-10)

-Kirkus Review

This story is about a little girl trying to sell her music box at a market to earn $10. She does not do very well and a strong wind comes up to ruin some lady's flowers that she was trying to sell. Estela sacrifices her music box and gives it to the lady. This was such a beautiful gesture that a young girl had made! The readers learn about the importance of sacrificing to make someone feel better. ( )

Estella goes to a swap meet hoping to make money for ballet lessons by selling her music box. She befriends a paper flower merchant who's flowers get ruined by a gust of wind that tipped over her tent. The flower merchant says it will take her all week to make new flowers for the next market, so Estella decides to give her the music box to listen too as she makes her flowers. In return, the flower merchant gives her a beautiful skirt for dancing.
Ages: 5-7
Source: Teaching Strategies Gold Boxed Curriculum