A happy heifer celebrates her special day in this novelty item that is short on words but big on fun. As a quartet of animal friends makes merry, Lodge focuses on only the most toddler-tantalizing portions of the festivities: mailing out the invites, opening presents, playing jolly party games, and, of course, eating the requisite pink-frosted cake. However, the simple prose takes a back seat to Lodge's effulgent illustrations and the well-executed mechanics of the book. With pictures awash in a sea of lemon-bright yellows, neon pinks, and electrifying blues, her bold color combinations seize the reader's attention. Each spread features a variety of manipulatives and depicts a party scene framed by a thick, brightly colored border. The playful details of the borders—cow postage stamps adorn the invitation pages while musical notes frolic at the edges of the dancing scene—are just a sampling of the many cunning details that contribute to the tale's eye appeal. Clever lift-the-flaps, sturdy pull-tabs, and a grandiose pop-up in the final spread will keep little hands busily engaged. The extra-thick pages and smooth gliding tabs, appropriate for tiny fingers, are capable of withstanding many exuberant read-aloud sessions. Packed with plenty to look at and plenty to do, this is great entertainment for the small fry. (Picture book. 1-4)
