Little Sophia has enjoyed a wonderful birthday. That changes. She explains, "Usually I am happy; but right now I'm not. My big sister Maria dropped a big-heavy pot." The loud bang of the pot crashing to the floor sends Sophia into tears until Maria sings her a song of gladness. After Maria's sweet little song Sophia realizes; "I next find myself smiling a lot. No need to cry over a heavy-old pot."


Bedtime comes. Maria, quite the storyteller, delights little Sophia who takes notice; "She tells of birthdays that will come someday. I sure like to listen to what she does say." The stories evoke Sophia with wonderful dreams. She describes how, "There's a bird in the tree singing a song. I wake feeling nothing will ever go wrong."


The expressive and colorful illustrations, combined with the positive portrayal of gladness over sadness, make this sweet story an artistic gem.