Manuela's Birthday

by Laura Bannon

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807549738
• ISBN13: 9780807549735
• Release Date: January 1972
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Manuela's Birthday..A Must Read Book for All Ages

Manuela is turning five. She lives in a small village near the capital city of Mexico. There, she is befriended by two American artists residing in the village. The artists are beguiled by the little girl and when Manuela's birthday arrives, they set out to make her a special doll that Manuela had seen in Mexico City. The doll is unlike anything she has ever seen. Accustomed to her ethnic dolls of Mexico, she is in wonder of the blond haired, blue eyed doll. The village children bring flowers to Manuela's house and her doting parents present her with a baby burro. The artists however, are in a quandry because they are unable to find a doll with blond hair and blue eyes. They then set out to purchase materials to make their friend her dream doll. It is a labor of love for the artists as they finally present the lovely doll to Manuela. Wearing a pair green-shaded sunglasses (a present from her father) she mistakenly thinks the doll's hair is green but is satisfied with the present anyway. She finally removes the glasses and realizes what the artists have done for her. She wraps her new doll in her rebozo and the American artists paint a portrait of Manuela with all of her presents. They call the portrait a "recuerdo". Charming story and illustrations. Multi-cultural friendship story.