Bella’s Recipe for Success

Gr 1-3–Bella’s hermano can play the piano with his eyes closed, and her hermana is excellent at flipping and cartwheels like an expert gymnast. Bella tries to play the piano and flip in the air like her siblings, but her attempts are less than fabulous. When Bella asks Abuela to help her bake polvorones, Mexican cookies filled with dulce de leche, her first attempts don’t come out quite as they should, and she becomes discouraged. Abuela nudges her to try again, and Bella begins to notice that even her piano-playing brother and somersaulting sister make mistakes, but each time they do they make sure to keep trying. Filled with renewed resolve, Bella tries and tries again, until the yummy treats are perfect and delicious! Colorful backdrops and an interesting narrative featuring a universal conflict make this title perfect for kids who are not quite ready for chapter books. A recipe for polvorones is included. Bella and her family have brown skin.