Birthdays Books

I love the idea of theme parties and her books have the best ideas I have ever read. She leads you by the hand and helps you from start to finish so that nothing is left out and your party is a huge success.The reader looks forward to reading about each party to get ideas for any and every party they give I look forward to her next book to see what she comes up with next.

In "Double Birthday!" Miko is excited about receiving presents, but wonders about his friend Mimiki. (Mimiki is apparently a stuffed mouse, but he's real to Miko.) He learns that Mimiki's birthday is the same day that his is and decides he wants to share his presents with Mimiki. He tries to give him a present, but each one has problems --- for example, he offers Mimiki a cassette recorder, but Mimiki just sits there, "too embarrassed to sing." Eventually, Miko realizes a great way in which he can share with hsi friend.

Each page is softly and warmly illustrated. The story is simple but interesting and fun and teaches a nice lesson. The "Miko" series doesn't seem to have caught on greatly yet, but this German import is a true gem.

The true meaning of the repentance Yom Kippur can be hard to explain to small children, and this book helps.

In prior years, Minnie was too young to go to Yom Kippur services, so when her father tells her that her Yom Kippur birthday will be wonderful in its own way but wonders what that means. She knows the holiday is serious but not what that means.

She fights with her sister, who will not return her doll, and her brother who tells her Yom Kippur will require that she sit still and think about the things she's done wrong during the year. She calls him a liar and runs to her Mom, who reassures her that the kind of birthday she will have is a surprise.

On the day itself, she runs for breakfast, but gets no presents. Mom and Dad are fasting, and go to Temple with Arnold. She waits for a long time, bored.

When they come back, they take her to Temple in the afternoon. Here she sees the Stars of David, the sparkling eternal light over the ark holding Torah scrolls, and the rabbi and cantor (who is a woman).

The rabbi tells the story of Jonah, which is one of two Torah portions for Yom Kippur. Minnie doesn't like the story--until the rabbi explains, "Most people don't do bad things like Jonah did to God, but little things to other people."

When you remember those little things that hurt others, he says, you must apologize as soon as possible. Minnie remembers her fights with her sister and brother, whispers apologies to them--and feels better. As services end, Minnie thrills at the sound of the shofar, the long blast.

Then, the rabbi recites a Kiddush. The congregants come out with a big birthday cake, that says "Happy Birthday Minnie." Minnie hugs her dad.

The important message--to treat others well and always to make amends--comes through loud and clear. Alyssa A. Lappen

Each page is surprising, we kept wondering what was going to happen next. It is still great to read over and over. The illustrations since they look like engravings are simple and charming. It's a nice twist on the standard witch type story. I like this book as much as we like Tanglebird.

We purchased this book after several library renewals. Our daughter loved it age 2 1/2, and still loves it a year later. A cake running away tickles her funny bone - and she loves to follow the "bee" that shows up during the chaos to obviously bring more chaos, but that's up to the reader's imagination. She also loves the illustrations and the way the family put up all the "right" party decorations.

I (and I'm sure others who have read this book) thought that Mary Engelbreit gives a beautiful and humorous discription of the happiness in a birthday.It was the best summary of joy and excitement that I have read!Another Birthday is a charming book for anybody to read and enjoy on their very special day,and I know you will enjoy it as much as I do.

This is a wonderful book I just love it I have adopted a child and it was fun to go back and put things in there for her to remeber threw the years.

For ages approx 6-9.

Synopsis (From the back cover)

This book is all about My Awesome Talented Exceptional Self and my birthday. Grownups seem to have a hard time remembering what they were like at this age, but I won't forget becasue I'll have my Book M*A*T*E*S! Maybe I'll give one to a relative or special friend so they can read all about My Awesome Talented Exceptional Self!

This book is beautiflly written and illustrated. The author is a long lost friend of mine and I wish her the best of luck!!!!

In Dorothy Butler's delightful picturebook story, My Brown Bear Barney At The Party, Barney's young owner takes him to Harold Hinkel's birthday party. The trouble begins when Harold's little sister thinks Barney is her present! She decorates Barney with the paints that Harold got for his birthday and then drops him into the aquarium! And that's how Barney arrived back home much cleaner than when he left! Wonderfully illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller, My Brown Bear Barney At The Party is a recommended picturebook for youngsters ages 4 and up. Also highly recommended are Dorothy Butler's earlier teddybear Barney picturebooks: My Bear Barney and My Brown Bear Barney In Trouble.