Pepe
and his brother and sister love to hear stories about wealthy
Uncle César, who lives in a faraway place called the "Mountain
of Gold." Mama has always reassured them that if the family
is ever in serious trouble, she can call on their kindly uncle and
he will come to their rescue with "a bushel basket full of pesos."
But is there a real
Uncle César? When hard times hit, Mamá alone pulls
the family through. Her stories seem true, but they do change a little
bit each time she tells them. And could anyone really be as kind,
generous, and hardworking as the person in those stories?
When the kids concoct
a plan to reunite Mamá with their long lost uncle César,
the mysterious family hero turns out to be the biggest (and best)
surprise of all.
I knew my father only
as the handsome man in the wedding photo Mamá kept beside
her bed. "When Papá brought me to the States," said
Mamá, "Uncle César became very angry. He became
even more angry when, after Papá's death, I would not return
with you to Mexico. But do not fear, mis hijos," she assured
us. "Uncle César loves us dearly. He will always take
care of his family. Ah, yes. If we were ever in need, I would only
have to say the word. He would send us a bushel basket full of pesos." But
somehow Mamá never said the word.
Like the hero in this
story, Elizabeth Spurr experienced the joys and struggles of raising
a close-knit family of five on her own. As a widow, Elizabeth developed
a keen appreciation for the importance of inspiring role models and
the value of common family goals. Written with wit, imagination,
and heart, Mama's Birthday Surprise celebrates a family's shared
experiences of happiness, self-sacrifice, discovery, and growth.
Elizabeth's previous books include The Long, Long Letter, The
Gumdrop Tree, and Lupe and Me.
Felipe Davalos was
born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Drawing upon memories of childhood experiences,
he was able to create richly detailed scenes. Married, with two children,
Felipe was also inspired by the message of family unity as personified
by the story's warmly realistic, contemporary Hispanic family. A
resident of Mexico City, Mexico, this is his first book for Hyperion
Books for Children.
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