Worthy of a celebration, this is a multifaceted yet child-friendly exploration of the big emotions associated with birthdays.
Birthdays bring wishes, fun, and so many emotions.
A young child with brown skin and straight black hair is celebrating their birthday today. A group of friends diverse in skin color, size, and ability arrive, and the day includes games, crafts, and, of course, cake. With each new activity, the protagonist makes a few declarative statements about their emotional or physical state. When attempting to blow bubbles with their friends, the child states, “I am jealous” because their bubbles are subpar. Eager to blow a big bubble, the child adds, “I am impatient” and “I am sad” when they cannot do what their friends easily can. When served a huge slice of cake, the child declares, “I am hungry”; after devouring it all, they groan, “I am ... not feeling so well.” Ultimately, the statements lead to “I am … overwhelmed?”—a sentence that perfectly encapsulates the day and the mental state of many children experiencing big events. The book’s direct language and subdued tone are perfect, and caregivers will appreciate how the statements are made without judgment or embarrassment. The cut-paper collage art enhances the text, making for a deeply personal and honest look at the myriad emotions that fill our days. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Worthy of a celebration, this is a multifaceted yet child-friendly exploration of the big emotions associated with birthdays. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781773068725
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
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
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Sure to have little ones giggling.
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)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781250814388
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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