Birthdays Books

This is not just another party idea book. Too often we (myself included) have these thoughts running through our heads about a month or two before our child's birthday: "what am I going to DO for junior's birthday this year" and "how am I going to top last year's party?" This book shifts our thoughts from 'doing' for our child to 'being there' for our child. I especially liked Shelly's discussion about birthday traditions to begin and continue (with age-appropriate modification) throughout the teen years. She gives a particurlarly good suggestion which I won't give away here!
Speaking from my point of view as a mom raising children in one of the most materialistic areas of the entire world, I can tell you that bigger [parties] is not always better. Shelly was able to articulate this in her book in a way that I've always felt but was not able to put into words.
Yes, this book is a great reference for party ideas and I know I will use it and give it to other moms for years to come. However, I feel that the book's strength is in the encouragement it gives parents to shift the focus of the birthday celebration from event-oriented activities to child-centered love and care.

I purchased this book a couple years ago from a retailer in VA. Now I'm trying to find two more copies for my each of my daughters. As our family expands (in-laws and grandkids), this book is my lifeline to birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days.

My 5 year old spotted this book and just had to have it. Once she opened it, I could see why. It comes with a gold band and a place for the 12 different birthstones so a child can have a new ring for each month. It also comes with a cute little book that has all kinds of information on birthdays like birth flowers, birth colors, famous birthdays and much more. When my daughter brought it for show and tell, she was surrounded by her classmates (girls and boys) just waiting to get a better look. It's the perfect birthday gift for any little girl.

I wrote Birthday Boy while I was living on the farm in 1982 and didn't sell it until 1988. It went through several printings and every single copy of both printings was sold; none were ever remaindered.
But new editors at New Readers Press decided they wanted to only publish dumbed down books from already famous authors. Thus Birthday Boy was allowed to go out of print. I and a great many others used this book to teach numerous people how to read. It is the story of a tough orphaned black kid, Jackson Oaks, who never had a birthday. Jackie eventually becomes a boxer, a pro. This book was always especially popular with my students when I taught horticulture in a prison.
Birthday Boy is also a story that is real and one that has made many a reader cry. I remember when the tough as nails ex-Middleweight Champion of the world, Carmen Bassilio, read this book in manuscript. Asked by my editor, what he thought of it and if it rang true, he said: "Yeah, sure it does. I liked it. A lot."
Having boxed myself and having great respect for fighters, especially for Bassilio, I have always been quite proud of his response.
If you know a boy or a young man who is having an especially difficult time learning to read---work with him and have him read Birthday Boy (if you can find a copy). I still get feedback from people who read and loved this, and often it was the first book that they had ever actually read, enjoyed, and finished.

This book has been my 3 1/2 year old son's favorite book since we got it in the mail from a book club at least a year ago. My son loves books about trucks, and this is not about trucks. He also doesn't normally like books about animals. I don't know exactly what it is about this book that he loves so, except that it is a great story, so cute, and with great pictures. Maybe its the little details about the cooking process. It goes through how little pig bakes the cake for little bear's birthday: the ingredients and measurements and placing it in the oven and watching it. Then little pig's friends arrive one by one and each taste the cake and make reccomendations about making it even tastier. Little pig listens to their recommendations and makes some changes. But by the time they are done tasting it, there isn't alot of cake left for little bear. But when little bear does arrive, all of the friends sit in the yard together and eat the rest of it and chat with each other. Then little bear walks home contemplating what a great birthday it was and how he got such a great cake. It makes him feel so special. And he holds this cute little flag on his way home although it never says where he got it (intriguing). Then he goes to bed. The book gives you such a nice warm feeling. My son's favorite part is when they are all tasting the cake at once and get it all over them and the floor. This makes him giggle every time. I would categorize this book in the 3 to 5 year old range, but also good for younger and older ages. And this is one of those books that even the parent loves to read, no matter how many times or how often (we have read it way more than 100 times, many nights in a row)! Everybody should own this book! I know it will remain my son's favorite for year's to come.

This book is great! It has very detailed, easy to follow instructions, and the cakes are so cute and original! The "cake basics" section has tips on what kinds of pans to use, the best ways to cool the cake, and tips for storing. Each cake design has a "cake tip" at the end suggesting how to make the cake better to suit you, and a full page photo of each cake. The back of the book has a metric conversion chart, as well as recipes for cakes and frosting from scratch. I highly recommend this book for all those moms who want to make their child's birthday cake themselves, but don't want a design that's too complicated to make.

This recipe book has basic, wonderful ideas for kids' birthday cakes, and they are fun and easy to make!

Dora and Boots are invited to her cousin Daisy's fifteenth birthday party-her fiesta de quinceanera. But the party can't start without Dora and Boots because they have Daisy's crown and shoes. Dora and Boots need to hurry to Daisy's party. Along the way, Dora and Boots team up with Baby Jaguar and Dora's cousin Diego, Daisy's brother. But when the party begins, it's time to mambo!

I remember this book from when my older daughter (37 years) was a little girl. It was one of her favorites, and mine, too. About a little bird who announces repeatedly to all her friends that her birthday is coming, and then reacts with a captivating humility when they all remember and bring gifts. The rhythm of the verse is terrific, and even though I haven't seen the book for probably 30 years, I can still recite lines from it.

As usual Ursula Curtiss does her magic charm. I was immediately enthralled by the events of the story she created. How simple it all seemed. All she had to do was deliver a birthday gift to her partner's sister. What harm could there be in that! Unfortunately, what she is led into is murder and mysterious neighbors who are not what they seem. Mrs. Curtiss really knows how to create a mystery that hooks me immediately. Lydia Peel innocently enters into a web of intrigue that endangers her life and confuses her idea of love. It is well worth your time to read. Mrs. Curtiss has done it again.