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HAPPY DAYS

Name: HAPPY DAYS
Author: Sue deGennaro
ISBN: 978-1-76050-760-2

From the Different Days series

by Sue deGennaro ; illustrated by Sue deGennaro ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2022

Guaranteed to cheer anyone up.

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An infectiously happy little hippo makes the most of every day.

The kid hippo of indeterminate gender experiences many kinds of days. Whether it’s a “scooting to the park day,” a “sitting on the bench day,” a “splashing in the pond day,” or a “bubbles in my bath day,” there’s always a reason for joy. On some days, the young hippo rides a scooter, helps in the kitchen (making sure to lick the bowl clean after baking), visits the park, makes music with cooking pots and pans, stomps around in leaf piles, or splashes in a pond. Whatever activities each new day offers, there are “tiny treasures” to be found everywhere. A doting caregiver (and various small animals who appear to be irresistibly drawn to the sunshiny, energetic protagonist) provides assistance and companionship and tries their best to keep pace, ultimately surrendering to their own inner child. DeGennaro, who both wrote and illustrated this adorable Australian import, achieves just the right balance of detail and white space in her brightly colored digital artwork, making the presentation ideal for emergent readers. Softer, less saturated colors are used for the scenes depicting indoor activities or those portraying the calmer activities the little hippo enjoys. The text’s use of repetition creates an upbeat, singsong cadence that lends itself readily to read-alouds. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Guaranteed to cheer anyone up. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 1, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-76050-760-2

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Little Hare/Trafalgar

Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

- BOOK REVIEW
BEAR AND DUCK ARE FRIENDS
by Sue deGennaro ; illustrated by Sue deGennaro

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PROS & CONS OF BEING A FROG
by Sue deGennaro ; illustrated by Sue deGennaro

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PRINCESS AND THE PACKET OF FROZEN PEAS
by Tony Wilson & illustrated by Sue deGennaro

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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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HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

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Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)