This beautiful and sophisticated picture book is set in country places in Mexico. A grandmother instills special qualities of trust, courage, skill and dignity into her fearful and trembling grandaughter by holding and stroking her when she is afraid. There is great strength in the water colour illustrations, full of life and vibrancy, earth colours and solidity. The poetic text reads like an oral tradition story, and the two meld quite perfectly. An unusual approach to fears, showing the great strength that women can give to each other.