The Battle of the Snow Cones/La Guerra de Las Raspas

It was so hot in Caliente, Texas, that the townspeople couldn’t stay cool. Swinging on the front porch with her mother, Elena has an idea. Raspas–icy cold snow cones–are just what the neighbors need. And she can make and sell them from her own front yard! So with the help of her parents, Elena soon has a stand and the items needed to make the snow cones. Before long everyone is lining up to buy them in delicious flavors. Elena’s best friend Alma watches her friend’s success from across the street and decides to start her own snow cone stand. And so begins the battle of the snow cones, with each girl devising ever more elaborate plans to attract clients. The girls’ ice shaving machines furiously crank out raspas, until one day both machines go bonkers!

Readers will enjoy the girls’ clever antics to attract customers in this lively, colorful picture book for children. And just as important, children will learn, along with Elena and Alma, that competitors can still be friends.