Dreaming of a quinceañera

Five-year-old Ellie is excited about her sister and best friend Isabella's upcoming quinceañera. Eager to help, Ellie throws herself into the preparations, only to find that flower arranging and cake decorating are not as easy as they appear. Adults are on hand to save the day from a few near disasters as the little one's best intentions go awry. Isabella's quinceañera is a beautiful celebration, with a toast to wish her well, earrings to remind her to always listen, high heels and a tiara to remind her to walk tall. As the celebration rolls on, Ellie can't help feeling left out even while she is happy that her sister is the star of the evening. Little does she know that Isabella has saved the best for last and, in her toast, highlights her best friend and sister, Ellie, in a heartwarming gesture of love. Pair with other books about cultural celebrations such as Matula and Lyons' Mixed-Up Mooncakes (2024), Gutta and Osman's Ramadan on Rahma Road (2025), and Mensah's Jollof Day (2025).

Ellie's big sister, Isabella, is about to celebrate her quinceañera. The milestone is a special event marking a girl's 15th birthday and her transition into womanhood, observed in Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines. Although Isabella is 10 years older than Ellie, the two are best friends. Both sisters are excited about the quinceañera, but Isabella confides that she's also nervous. As Isabella is whisked away to get ready for the celebration, Ellie is left behind, eager to help prepare for the party but struggling to find a job she can do at her age--flower arranging proves too difficult, and the cake is far too delicate for Ellie to help decorate. When the party begins, Ellie is awestruck by her sister's elegance, although Isabella's busy schedule keeps them apart. Unexpectedly, in a touching moment, Isabella publicly expresses her love for Ellie and invites her to share a special dance, making the evening unforgettable. This well-crafted narrative weaves together themes of sisterly love and the community's role in celebrating a young person's coming of age. The customs and traditions of the quinceañera shine in this warm family tale, and children who are much younger than their big siblings will relate to Ellie's earnest desire to be included in the festivities. Dominated by pinks and reds, the illustrations are suffused with a soft glow. The family is Latine. A heartfelt celebration of sisterhood and culture, seen through the eyes of an enthusiastic younger sibling. (information on quinceañeras)(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.