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SURPRISE!

Name: SURPRISE!
Author: Mike Henson
ISBN: 978-1-910277-41-6

by Mike Henson ; illustrated by Mike Henson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 3, 2017

Simply cute.

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Every time the lights go out, some new and unexpected thing happens.

As Rabbit and Fox approach Rabbit’s house, it is dark, but readers can see several figures peeking out of a dark window. Next, readers see a black two-page spread with five pairs of eyes and one line of dialogue: “Huh?” When Fox turns on the light, everybody yells, “Surprise!!” It’s Rabbit’s birthday, and the bunny seems genuinely pleased and…surprised. But then the lights go out again! And when they come back on, everyone’s wearing a funny costume; Porcupine looks like a pirate. And Fox is dressed as a banana! Again the lights go out, and when they return, there’s a disco ball and music all around; literal notes in the air. So it goes. Off, on; off, on. The guests do tricks and hide. Finally there’s a gigantic cake with pink and yellow icing and four lit candles on top. But when it appears, all of Rabbit’s friends seem to have disappeared. They offer one final “SURPRISE!” as they all burst out of the cake, holding presents. And what’s left of the cake is delicious. Henson’s appealing animals look like preschoolers. Besides the book’s title, which is repeated throughout, there is little text, all of it dialogue. Very young children should have fun guessing what comes next after each blackout, and Henson’s minimal text is pre-reader–friendly.

Simply cute. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Dec. 3, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-910277-41-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Words & Pictures

Review Posted Online: Oct. 9, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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CHICKA CHICKA PEEP PEEP

From the Chicka Chicka Book series

by Julien Chung ; illustrated by Julien Chung ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 20, 2026

A sweet, springtime-themed reworking of a beloved tale.

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The classic picture book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (1989) gets a makeover for Easter as the letters of the alphabet locate and decorate eggs.

The mission is simple: “Chicka chicka peek peek. / Everybody seek seek! / Find all the eggs / in the pretty pink tree.” The letters are making their way up the flowering tree in search of the hidden eggs when a “SNEEZE!” scatters everyone and the eggs fall and crack. Luckily, a bunny hops by with a haul of new ones, which the letters then paint and bedazzle, eventually sharing the newly decorated eggs with a group of bunnies. This picture book is a successfully Easter-fied version of the original: The letters go up; the letters fall down. Truly, though, that’s all the preschool crowd needs. Chung’s illustrations are simple and familiar, a direct echo of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The letters appear in colorful, bold, block form. The book has few added details, just focal images like the tree and its pink flowers, the colorful eggs, tufts of grass, and some friendly rabbits. The alphabet appears in order (both upper- and lowercase letters) at the book’s open and close. The rhyming text follows the iconic cadence of the source material, making for a worthy read-aloud that will keep little hands turning pages.

A sweet, springtime-themed reworking of a beloved tale. (Picture book. 3-5)