Birthdays Books

Short novella about Mia's 16th birthday, her grandmere's attempts to film it for MTV, her best friend's craziness, and issues with her boyfriend. Just another day for Mia. Short, sweet, fluff book that reminds me why this series continues to be a guilty pleasure. Grade: B+

This is a very short story about Mia's 16th birthday. It is very cute and filled with lots of moments between Michael and Mia that make you feel warm and fuzzy. Very Cute!!

I'm not going to go over the plot with you,I'm just here to tell you what I like and dislike. What I like? That's easy. Meg Cabot has once again outdone herself with this novel. Like I said, I'm not going to go over the plot, so you will have to read it or wonder for the rest of your life(okay, exaggeration). Dislikes: Just one. IT IS NINETY-SIX PAGES! I know, I know. Book 4 1/2 was fifty pages. What is the problem here? I'll tell you: This isn't a in-between book. It is supposed to be equivalent to 150 page novels previously written by Meg Cabot. Not to mention the fact that 4 1/2 had pretty much NO plot, whereas this one has a real setting, story, and more than ten characters.
That is all I have to say. Oh, yeah, one more thing:
READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was great! Meg Cabot really outdid herself. However, I wish it were longer. There is certainly enough plot, but only 96 pages? Really.
All in all, I would say it is a great book. You would be best getting it at a public library, because for $9, you only get 96 pages[hardcover].

I won't delve into the plot, since many other reviewers have already done so. Instead, I'll say that Mia is progressively coming into her own, as this installment proves. She may be nervous addressing parents and school officials, but finally she has learned to emphatically lay down the law with her friends, something she certainly had trouble with at the beginning of this series. However, I found it frustrating that the book was over so quickly, especially at full cover price. I highly suggest you purchase a used copy if you don't have lots of money to burn.

SPOILER!
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I also wonder if this book is setting up a possible future romance between Mia and another guy...

Not the best for very young children, because a fox dies, this book is a meloncholy story in the beginning. It makes you see what Ereth thought like. Good book to read eventuallly, but for readers who can take it. a good story about a good deed.

I am the reviwer of Chicago and Alice and Wonderalnd. Ereth's Birthday shocked my life! It's comedy, song, action, drama, and sandness! I loved this book and you will to! There is only one bad scary part for some children, a mother wolf dies in a claw trap, and there is a picture with blood. But, other than that, the book is fine!

Ereth's Birthday is a book that is exiting, full of adventure, and hilrious. It was Ereth the porcupine birthday so some mice and Ereth's best frind Poppy, a mouse came. Ereth gotgrumpy and dicided he did not want them right then, so he left. Ereth went by a house and heard people talking then, the people left. Ereth saw that there was salt and he loved salt but he heard creing so he went there. I am not going to spoil it for you but, some how he got stuck with 3 little foxes. When he got there he did not know how to do it.
The book was hilarious because Ereth would talk to the foxes in this really weird way. He'd make them do chores yelling at the top ofhis lungs. Ereth made them hunt for there food, and they did not know a thing abote hunting. They finally got their ways though. Read Ereths Birthday because it is a great book and you will not want to go some other plase you will not want to go some other plese you want to ceep reading.

By Jamie Age 9

You know the old, grouchy, self-centered Ereth, Right? Well, in this book Ereth's Birthday, Avi explains Ereth's true feelings, fear, empathy and all. When Ereth runs away because he thinks that Poppy forgot him, a fisher goes after him. Not long after, Ereth meets an almost dead Fox and her last request is for him to take care of her kits. Will Ereth do this good deed? If so will he make a good foster parent/guardian. If the real dad comes home will he be angry?

Ereth was an old grouchy, self-centered porcupine. He was old because he was born many years ago. He was grouchy because he was always cursing and swearing saying things like "salamander-sap salad" and "Monkey marbols." He was self-centered because on his birthday she ran away not caring what his best friend next door neighbor thought.

By the end of the book, Ereth was still old and grouchy in a good way. He tried to change and from what I know he was succeeding. He was caring because he accepted the mother Fox's pleading and tried to be nice.

I recommend this book to absolutely everyone. If you want to read this book, I recommend you read Poppy, the first book in the series, first. Avi is a great writer. If you don't believe me, then read it for yourself!

Erethizon Dorsatum - better known as Ereth, the self-centered, foul-tempered old porcupine - is having a birthday. And he fully expects his best friend Poppy, a deer mouse, to help him celebrate in a grand manner. But Poppy has gone off somewhere with her husband, Rye, and it appears she has forgotten all about it. "Belching Beavers," says Ereth, "I am not angry!" (Though, perhaps he is - and more than just a little.)

Ereth knows his special occasion deserves a special treat - even if he has to get it for himself. And what treat could be more special than tasty salt? But the nearest salt is located deep in the forest, in a cabin occupied by fur hunters, who have set out traps to capture the Dimwood Forest animals. In one of the traps, Ereth finds Leaper the Fox - who, with her dying breath, begs the prickly porcupine to take care of her three boisterous young kits, Tumble, Nimble, and Flip. "Jellied walrus warts!" Ereth exclaims, but reluctantly agrees.

Certainly this day is not going as he planned - and it's only just the beginning! Not only does Ereth suddenly have a rambunctious new family to take care of, but he's being stalked by Marty the Fisher, the one creature in Dimwood Forest who can do him harm. And Bounder, the father of the three little foxes, remembers all too well the nose full of quills he got a while back from the grumpy old animal who now fancies himself the leader of the den. He too sets out to show Ereth who's boss. Throw in an unexpected snowstorm, and all in all, it adds up to one brithday Ereth the porcupine is never going to forget.

Martha is a moth that is getting ready for her birthday bash. As she cooks the "food" for her party she gets really hungry. She ends up eating all but 2 socks! When her friends arrive she is really sad she has no food to serve them. Read and find out how they cheer her up!


The books was well written and just the right length for a picture book. The pages had lots of great illustrations to talk about while reading.


Yes. It's a neat way to learn about moths!

I read this to my children ages 8-3 and they all loved it. It is a very fun story with great illustrations that the kids keep asking me to read over and over. Highly recommended

My 19-month daughter loves animal books, and loves this book about Martha and her friends. Even though the distinction between moth and butterfly is still lost on her, I always get a giggle out of her when she realizes that Martha is eating clothing!

Both she and I love the wonderful watercolour illustrations, which remind of me the books I read as a child as opposed to some of the more disturbing drawings and cartoons children view today.

The story line is obviously meant for kids older than my daughter, but the colour and pictures keep even little ones entertained. I wish there were a simpler version of these characters in a laminated boardbook format for littler readers.

This book is a gem! Cambria's artwork along with this remarkably witty storyline create a warm and cozy "socksy" feeling for any reader. This is certainly a cuddle up by a fire, or relax under the neighbors apple tree read. I loved it, and would suggest it for any children's book enthusiast!

I am a member and founder of a childrens book club with 57 members that has been meeting once a month to lauch a new book for the last four years. I picked MARTHA MOTH as the celebrated new book of the month and arranged for all the matching feastivities to accompany for the books unveiling. Socks draped, cut out moths and a special dust drink. The reading was fantastic and the other parents and teachers were thrilled to have a book full of spice and imagination. The pictures were bold with creativity...a real feast for the eyes. I hope Martha has many adventures in the near future- as it was our book club shinning star thus far.

You may not want to eat striped ice cream afterwards but you will want to go swimming and eat cream cheese sandwiches afterwards and get a part time job. I would recommend this book to any one.

I read this book when I was in 4th or 5th grade. I remember going to the local library and checking this book out all the time. A few years ago I had the opportunity to read it again. It still made me cry at the end. I love the story and characters in this book. I have a ten year old daughter now and I am going to purchase this for her for Christmas. I can't wait for her to read it. I hope she enjoys as much as I did.

I remember this book so vividly! It was the first time I realized that there were children in our country whose parents couldn't give them everything they wanted! It seemed amazing to me that they worked so hard to get her something that I took for granted!
This is a must read for all kids, especially privileged children.

I read this when i was a little kid and couldn't bear to give it away when i cleaned out my room because it was such a good story. Very good read and is very entertaining!

I remember reading this for the first time at about the age of 9 and loving it. I read it many times through the years. I recently picked up a copy for my collection of childhood favorites and have re-read it several times since. The story still rings with impact and life-lessons that still apply in today's world. An enjoyable book for a young girl!

This book is a shortened version of the TV episode, "Blue's Big Birthday." It's interactive, as well as has the clue game of, "What does Blue want for her birthday?" Like the show, it features Steve, Blue, and the gang, and introduces Blue's turtle, Turquoise--although Blue doesn't name her in the book.

This is pure "Blues Clues," pure and simple. Blue is having a birthday and we are asked to give a hand. The format is like that of the excellent TV show. The art work is quite well done, the text simple and easy for the little ones to follow. This is a fun book to read with your preschooler. This entire series is quite good and I do recommend them quite highly.

It's party-time for Blue --- it's her birthday! The "Blue's Clues" house is fully decorated, with plenty of balloons, confetti and more. We arrive just a little early, so we help to get everything ready for the party. And there's a game of Blue's Clues as well --- Blue needs a present.

This is a good story --- it's a lot like the TV show and the text is readable, but sufficiently complex that it should keep kids that are used to the level of the TV show engaged. Kids will also enjoy seeing Steve, Blue and all the fun party stuff.

I got this for my little boy's 3rd birthday. He loves Blue, and loved this book. We read it every night, and every night he loves to find Blue's clues and show me all the things he remembered about the story.
Great buy!!!

This a great book. If you kids love Blue's Clue. They will love this book.

There is also a wonderful video that goes along with this book. It is wonderful. Blue's Clues - Blue's Birthday

I am the author of the book and wanted to add these letters that I have received about my book.

Paul
I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed "Happy Birthday Mr. Sidney" What a GREAT book. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept it till the very end. I had a hard time putting the book down. In fact, I finished reading it in less than a week. That's amazing for me because I NEVER read. It made me think about how I treat people at times, and not take people or time for granted. They are precious gifts. YOU are an inspiring writer. Thank you
Jackie

Another letter sent to the Author:

Paul
What a wonderful story. Sure makes you take a second look at ones life. Thanks to you I will never take anything for granted & will try to love & fulfill my loved ones with love & caring. I do believe in angels. They are around us & do hear us, guiding us everyday. So thanks for the GREAT BOOK. Can't wait for the next one.
Carol

Bravo and Thank You Paul Maddams for your beautiful message
in your book "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.SIDNEY".
Your words touch our hearts.
Tears are welling up in our eyes when we understand what the most precious treasures in life are : Love and Family !
Your book should be read by everybody on Earth !
Love, dreams, children, grandchildren and family should be
the main purpose of every human being.
Yes, I just want to live "My Life" to the fullest, being in love and surrounded by all my dearest ones with love !

"Carpe Diem" - "Seize the day"

Christine Scheer - Los Angeles

This is a great story of how our every action and attitude can affect our lives. A poignant account of one man's life and how adversities, some significant and others seemingly not, shape his future. It stirs the emotions and even incorporates a bit of suspense, keeping the reader entranced until the end.

I had just met the Author, he had told me a little about his book. Being curious I purchased it. UPS delivered it on a Friday morning, and I began to read it. I could not put it down, hours went by and it was time to pick my daughter up from school, I sat in the parking lot and continued to read. When my daughter got in my truck I told her about the beginning of the book and she asked if I could read it with her from the beginning. Of course I did. We read the entire book in 2 1/2 days. My daughter then did a book report on the book which was oral on Monday morning. The teacher was so intrigued by the story she asked if she could read the book to the class. It was so cute, the entire class did not want the teacher to put the book down. The class finished the book in 4 days. They wrote me a thank you card for sharing the book with them. I live my life for the best, and I appreciate everyone and everything, I do not judge anyone. Now when I hear people talk and I know what they maybe up against someday I reccommed they read Paul's book. I have a few friend's that are going to recieve it for Christmas. "AWESOME BOOK"
Thanks Paul,
Shelle

This book is not my usual style, and I have to admit, at first I thought it was going to be a downer. Boy was I wrong. I thoughouly enjoyed the book, I found it entertaining, funny AND sad (sort of all at the same time). What I liked most about this book was that I didn't just read it and say, "That was good". I read it and said, "Wow" and took a look at my own life. Thanks Paul!

[...]
A Baby Animal Riddle Book is designed for children ages 4 to 8, has a handsomely designed jacket displaying owls on the front cover and the back displays 12 additional animals.

Doris Fisher effectively reaches her intended young audience. The book contains bold and vibrant images of illustrator Lisa Downey, the pages alternate with oil paintings of an animal family and a birth announcement. The birth announcements contain clues to the animal's identity, offering facts of the weight and height and turn the page and you find more facts about the baby animal. The book contains riddles introducing 12 different animals and will engage and amuse the young reader. The book contains a section entitled "For Creative Minds" that everyone is sure to love, this section contains information about the animal families and fun facts about the 12 animals introduced in the birth announcements.

As for illustrator Lisa Downey, her page design is colorful, vivid and eye-friendly that transports the reader into the heart of the story.

You will find "Learning Links" and "Teaching Activities" on Sylvan Dell Publishing's website that will help both teachers and parents expand the learning possibilities. [...].

The book is addressed to children and young readers, but can be enjoyed by the entire family. The book will excite your children and they will want to read this one over and over again. As an added bonus in the back of the book there is a "Make Your Own Birth Announcement" great for a new baby in the family whether it be human or animal. I highly recommend this one and give it 5 stars!

Happy Birthday to Whooo? A Baby Animal Riddle Book is designed for children ages 4 to 8, and has a handsomely designed jacket displaying owls on the front cover and 12 additional animals on the back.

Doris Fisher effectively reaches her intended young audience. The book contains bold and vibrant images of illustrator Lisa Downey, the pages alternate with oil paintings of an animal family and a birth announcement. The birth announcements contain clues to the animal's identity, offering facts of the weight and height. When you turn the page, you find more facts about the baby animal.

The book contains riddles introducing 12 different animals that will engage and amuse the young reader. The book contains a section entitled "For Creative Minds" that everyone is sure to love as it section contains information about the animal families and fun facts about the 12 animals introduced in the birth announcements.

As for illustrator Lisa Downey, her page design is colorful, vivid and eye-friendly transporting the reader into the heart of the story.

You will find "Learning Links" and "Teaching Activities" on Sylvan Dell Publishing's website that will help both teachers and parents expand the learning possibilities. The website is: [...]

The book is addressed to children and young readers, but can be enjoyed by the entire family. The book will excite your children and they will want to read this one over and over again. As an added bonus in the back of the book there is a "Make Your Own Birth Announcement," great for a new baby in the family whether it be human or animal.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended!

What if animals had birth announcements? Could you guess the animal by reading their announcement? Find out in this delightful book of baby animal riddles. Young children and their adults will enjoy this fun and entertaining book. The animal illustrations add much to this book which is sure to become a favorite. The For Creative Minds section in the back of the book offers more animal fun facts, a numbers game, and a make your own birth announcement activity.

Over the years, I've come across several animal baby books. Some talk about the relationship between mother and baby, while others focus only on the babies. But until I came across this book, I'd never seen one quite like it.

Happy Birthday to Whooo? By Doris Fisher, is a delightful animal riddle book that includes birth announcements within the text! Each set of pages in the book focuses on a particular animal. On one side of the page, there are clever facts about the animal. On the other side of the page, there is a colorful birth announcement for the animal baby.

Fisher cleverly designed the text to provide interesting and often unknown facts about animals. For example, did you know that in the first few weeks of his or her life, a baby whale drinks, "...enough milk to gain 200 pounds every day?" The birth announcements are wittily constructed to allow children to guess the baby animal before looking at the pictures. For example, the announcement for the baby giraffe names the mother as, "Mrs. On Stilts," and gives a weight of 150 pounds and an initial height of 6 feet.

The illustrations in Happy Birthday to Whooo? by Lisa Downey, are lovely. The birth announcement pages are constructed so that the child doesn't have to guess "too" hard to figure out who the baby animal is, because various parts of the animals are sticking out behind the announcement. The pages are colorful but soothing, making this a lovely bedtime story as well as a great read-aloud story any time of the day or night.

Each page of this delightful book presents a riddle; can you guess what baby animal was just born? Everyone has a birthday, baby animals do too. Your child will enjoy guessing the baby animal from the clues in these announcements.

Proud parents of baby owls, lion cubs, and baby elephants include the weight, length, and number of babies in their announcement. When turning the page your child will see a colorful illustration of the described baby. Did he/she solve the riddle and guess the name of the baby animal?

Presenting The Newest Pea In Our Pod! Born: January 16, Weight 5,000 pounds, Length: 25 feet, Proud Mother: Mrs. O. Sean Blue. What is the name of this quite large baby animal? Turn the page and see a colorful illustration of a baby blue whale. Did you know he can drink enough milk to gain 200 pounds every day for the first few weeks?

Not all baby animals are delivered by the mother. The seahorse DAD gives birth to between 50 to 200 babies at a time, depending on the species. Baby kangaroos grow inside its mother's pouch; they all have the same name, Joey. By the time a baby giraffe is one year old, it stands 10 feet tall.

Parent and child will find this book entertaining as well as informative.

This is a delightful book about an abuela's preparations for her granddaughter's birthday. She is diligently making her preparations during the week, but she keeps encountering setbacks, like a missing napkin, missing candles, and most of all, missing mousetraps. "No importa," she says, it's not important, she always manages a solution. What is important is having her family and celebration, not the individual trappings.

I love the way Ryan sprinkles Spanish words in her text, in a way that is comfortable for english speakers but will also bring the story home for spanish speakers. I admire the grandmother's easy, low key reaction to each setback, and her clever problem solving - arranging 6 candles in the shape of a 7, and I talked about that with my daughter, about how she didn't have to be upset even though things weren't perfect.

We loved the book: the funny mice, the wonderful illustrations, and the sweet story. We read it three times in a row because it was so much fun.

I read this book to my class of 1st grade students, many of whom are bilingual (Spanish/English). They really enjoyed this story upon first reading and re-reading. The plot and drawings allow the students to make predictions about what is going to happen next - thus allowing them to interact with the book in a dynamic way. The scattering of Spanish words and Latino/a culture helped to encourage the interest of my student - both those who are Latino/a, and those who are not. Overall, it is a cute, fun, sweet story about a loving and forgetful grandmother preparing a birthday party for her granddaughter.

My children, now 6.5 years, have loved this book since they were 4. It's simply and wonderfully written, has a number of great messages between the lines, introduces non-Latino kids to a bit of language and culture, and the illustrations are delightful as well as quite brilliant. We notice new things in the pictures every time we read it, which adds a treasure-hunt aspect to our readings. This is one of my daughter's all time favorite books.

Mice and Beans is a wonderful tale about a "forgetful" Grandmother's preparations for a birthday party. I love the repetition in the text that heartily lends itself to a fun read-aloud session.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Pam Munoz Ryan at a Summer Arts Children's Storytelling Forum held at California State University - Fresno. She read the book to parents, teachers, and students who attended the conference. I was amazed on the writing, culture, and illustrations that she used for this book. The novel serves as a tale of her childhood spending time with her family at her grandmother's house. Overall, the story teaches children the value of traditions, family, and heritage. In short, "Mice and Beans" is a good book to read.

You don't need this book to do what the book gets you to do. But you do need creativity and the ability to put all the information into a fun, handy package suitable as a keepsake.

This book gives us one more thing to look forward to on my daughter's birthday. And she's enthusiastic about receiving it as a gift for her 18th birthday.

It helps you take the time to sit down with a child, have some fun, and make memories.

I am buying one for each of my twin nephews.

What a great way to contain birthday memories year after year in one place. I love the interview pages and know they will be fun to look back on in the years to come. Also love the pocket pages to include invitations and other memorabilia. Glad I bought two, one for each of my young children.

I bought 2 of these books - 1 for my child and 1 for a gift. I was really impressed with this book. It spans from the first bday to the 18th bday. The premise of the book is that on birthdays you stop to reflect on that year and what has happened. It gives really cute ideas of things to put into the little pouches it has, like newspaper clippings and bday invites. It also has a little questionnaire or interview page for each bday, with the questions changing as the child gets older. Very cute.

I found this book to be a great way to capture year-to-year memories. The book is sturdy with a good color scheme and design throughout. There are pages to include a picture at each age, record favorite things, and provides good prompts and questionnaires to guide you in capturing your child's thoughts and memories. I hope my children will enjoy looking through it when they are adults. For me it's a great way to record milestones without the hassle of time-consuming scrapbooks (I've done many of those, too!).

I have 4 children under 6, and bought a copy of this book for each child. I really like the prompts and 'interviews' as well as the pocket folders with suggestions for keepsakes. I keep a journal for each child that I write in regularly, but this book is more of a celebration of the year (or the moment!) and the prompts are zany, silly, motivational, and most certainly fun! It's nice to have one place to put birthday invites, holiday cards, hand prints, etc. from each year. Their traditional baby books end around 1 or 3 years old, and this one goes up to 18, which will be a blast to see once it's all filled in! (though I'm not rushing to have my children be all grown up!)

Any girl who loves spring time would love this book. The title of this book is Happy Birthday Felicity and the author of this book is Valerie Tripp. The main characters are Felicity and Grandfather. Grandfather is generous, and understands what is imnportant. Felicity is a spunky, spiritual colonial girl, growing up just before the American Revolution in 1774. The setting is in Willamsburg, Virgina and the problem of the story is Felicity got a guitar from her Grandfather and she wasn't allowed to take it outside. But she did, and ended up getting it wet and now she has to take it back to where she got it.


In the beginning of the story Felicity and Elizabeth,her friend, were making fun of Elizabeth's sister (Annabelle) while she was playing the guitar and singing. Next, Felicity heard soldiers talking about a plan and when she told her parents, they didn't believe her so she had to fix it herself.


The theme of this book is always obey because you may have a problem like Felicity. This book reminded me of myself because I play the guitar just like Felicity was learning to. Girls of all ages would enjoy this book.

A.F. in Annapolis

I really enjoyed reading Happy Birthday,Felicity!
I't a spring time story by Valerie Thrip,and mostly about Felicity getting a guitar and a lamb for her birthday.
It was a good book,and reccomend it to any girl who loves American Girls series!

This book is great.! It took me less than a day to read. I thought this was a great book. You should read it if you have not. I LOVED it. I think that was the best Felicity book. I give it 5 stars because the book was great, as I have said before. I don't wanna spoil the story, so all I'll say is it's Felicity's Birthday, and she gets a great present. Sometimes I wished I was Felicity. Her present was an adorable ...... I can't tell you. You'll have to see!

Happy Birthday, Felicity! is one of the best American Girl books. Felicity is turning ten years old, and Grandfather has come to visit. He gives her Grandmother's guitar, but when she is told not to take it out of the house, she disobeys her parents and Grandfather. They are so angry at her that they refuse to believe Felicity when she tells them of a message she overheard that means danger for Williamsburg! I'll let the rest be a surprise, but don't worry, the book has a happy ending.

These books are perfect for any young girl (6-10). The girls in all the books are brave, loyal, kind, helpful, and many more quailities you might want your daughter to posess. And they have enough adventure to keep any girl interested. Read them all, get a doll, and discover the world of American girl.