Birthdays are kind of a big deal. It’s the one day in the year that is all about celebrating you and the wonderfulness of you. It holds a lot of anticipation and excitement, especially for children. This book list has our favorite books that feature birthdays in all their importance and magic. These are great books to add to birthday celebrations too as a gift for the birthday child or as a birthday read aloud on the big day. The party vibe in them is strong and they are sure to make kiddos smile, even when it’s not their actual birthday. We could all use a little birthday cheer all year long, right?!
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When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano and Christian Robinson- Kids have a tendency to ask “when’s my birthday” often, sometimes all throughout the entire year until their birthday rolls around again! This book is devoted to that anticipation and the hopes and wishes that come with celebrating a birthday. It is simple and oh-so-sweet.
Bear Can’t Wait (The Bear Books) by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman- Bear and his friends are throwing a surprise birthday party for a friend, but bear is having a hard time being patient. Just when it seems that he has accidentally made a mess of everything, his friends pull together to help him set things straight. This whole series is darling and this book is no exception.
How to Have a Birthday by Mary Lyn Ray and Cindy Derby – This lovely book pays tribute to the magic of birthdays with simple text that outlines some of the things that might happen on birthdays from birthday cakes to simply the magical feeling of being a bit older and starting a new year.
A Piece of Cake by LeUyen Pham- When mouse makes a special cake for bird on their birthday they meet an unforeseen obstacle when all their friends want to trade for a piece of the cake on the way for mouse to deliver it. This one has a surprise ending that is purely delightful and the illustrations are adorable.
The Best Birthday Party Ever by Jennifer LaRue Huget and LeUyen Pham- In this book a girl is planning a large and elaborate birthday party that is sure to make kids smile. The actual party at the end isn’t as wild and elaborate as she had fun imagining, but it is incredibly satisfying all the same. This is for the kids who feel like a super star on their birthdays!
Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Garton Scanlon and Stephanie Graegin- This book features a sweet little bunny’s birthday party that is enjoyed with family and friends. It is positively darling and totally charming.
Penelope Strudel: And the Birthday Treasure Trail by Brendan Kearney- This is definitely a unique one that is sure to please. On the first page we learn that our birthday child (Penelope Strudel) has arrived at Custard Manor to visit her uncle. When she arrives a letter informs her (and the reader) that she is starting a treasure hunt that her uncle made for her to find her birthday surprise. Following that each page spread contains clues and puzzles to solve (from mazes to search and finds to coded messages) as a part of solving the big mystery at the end. I haven’t completed all the puzzles yet, but they sure look fun!
Moira’s Birthday (Classic Munsch) by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko- This book (like many of Munch’s fabulous books) is for the kids with a wonderful sense of humor who enjoy the silly. In the story Moira invites her entire school to her house for her birthday and a huge crowd shows up with results in lots of pizzas and lots of chaos.
Eat the Cake by M.H. Clark and Jana Glatt- This book doesn’t strictly mention birthdays, but it is a wonderful celebratory book that is full of warm wishes and has the most fantastic party vibe, so it is included in this list. Plus, cakes are a staple for birthdays often, right?!
Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenfeld- This book features the magic of birthday wishes. It highlights ten playful rules surrounding them starting with number one that states that it must actually be your birthday. It’s super cute.
Birthday Monsters! (Boynton on Board) by Sandra Boynton- Okay, we are big fans of Sandra Boyton and this birthday board book by her is a pure party. The monsters are silly and is a perfect book for the youngest, birthday, bookworms and is sure to make them giggle.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague- This book is part of a whole series and this one is the birthday version and is definitely a fun one. It features impolite, yet silly, ways to say happy birthday that shouldn’t be employed and also features perfectly lovely ways to say happy birthday as well.
Apples for Little Fox by Ekaterina Trukhan- Little Fox is on the case of the missing apples and the end resolution is one that is a delightful surprise. (A surprise birthday party with all of their forest friends!) A fun book that is sure to make you smile.
Make a Wish, Henry Bear by Liam Francis Walsh- When it is time for Henry to make a birthday wish he makes what he thinks is the best wish of all: that it was his birthday everyday. At first things seem wonderful, but soon he is appreciating the normal routine of his life more than ever and comes to the conclusion that once a year is just right. It is sweetly and playfully done and I love it.
Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup- This one is a big hit with us! In the story a group of animal friends are trying to get by tiger without waking her up. In the end we learn that the reason is that they are throwing her a surprise birthday party. Our favorite parts of this book are the rising tension as tiger slowly wakes up and the fact that it’s interactive. A definite winner!
Bigfoot Does Not Like Birthday Parties by Eric Ode and Jaime Temairik- Well, this story is about the town of Mossy Pockets and it opens with them getting ready to throw a birthday party for bigfoot, who apparently doesn’t like birthday parties. It is a lot of fun to see all the townspeople gather together and parade to the top of the hill where chaos ensues as a big silly mess is started by a tiny innocent fly. At this climax we find out the truth about Bigfoot and how he really feels about birthday parties.
Watch Out for Wolf! by Anica Mrose Rissi and Charles Santoso- The little pigs are throwing a birthday party and they have to sneak around because they don’t want to alert wolf. At first you think it may be because wolf is “big and bad”, but it is actually because wolf is the special guest with the birthday! it is such a fun one with a great does of building tension and a great surprise.
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