Rosita loved being with her abuelita (grandmother) each day. She loved the soap scent of Abuelita's everyday dress...and the strong warmth of her grandmother's arms." She loved what they did together, such as preparing tortillas, making up songs, and weeding the chiles in the garden. One day Abuelita taught Rosita how to braid a strong cord from three overlapping strands. After Abuelita's illness and death, Rosita became heartbroken. As the family prepared for the annual Day of the Dead observances by cooking, carving, weaving, and gardening, Rosita couldn't seem to think of an appropriate ofrenda (gift for the family altar) to create in Abuelita's memory. The harder Rosita tried the more difficult it was for her to sense Abuelita's presence, until she remembered the cord Abuelita had taught her to braid. Chapman's muted mixed media illustrations on cast paper suggest three dimensions in an affectionate bilingual story about the endurance of family memory. (Ages 6-9)

After her beloved grandmother dies, Rosita hopes to be reunited with Abuelita as she prepares a gift to give her when her family celebrates the Day of the Dead. Rosita's grandmother lovingly teaches her to braid, make tortillas, and harvest the chiles from the garden. When her grandmother dies, Rosita is devastated. On the Day of the Dead, Rosita's family encourages her to make a special gift for Abuelita, whose spirit will be present. A heartwarming family story colorfully illustrated with cast-paper collages.