HARRY'S BIRTHDAY
by Barbara Ann Porte & illustrated by Yossi Abolafia
Harry is eagerly planning for his party: reminding friends that he wants a cowboy hat; passing their horror stories on to Dad (Dorcas did enjoy someone else's party—where the clown was such a draw that her own, planned for the same day, had to be canceled—but she got no presents); hearing Aunt Rose's tales of birthdays long ago. Including features from both the parties described plus some new ones, Harry and Dad negotiate a celebration that's not over-elaborate but still fun; and the birthday boy's enthusiasm is such that even getting seven cowboy hats is OK. Readers of earlier books about Harry will welcome this amiable sixth; again, Abolafia's cheerful cartoons reflect the spirit of disarmingly true-to-life people, with a real gift for working through problems creatively. (Young reader/Picture book. 5-9)