My Favorite Birthday Books

Birthday Books for Young Children

Everyone loves birthdays, and May is a big birthday month in our family. When I met my sweet husband fifty (50!) years ago, we were delighted to discover that we were born two weeks apart in May. Four years later we married on his birthday, and our firstborn arrived on that day as well! We have much to celebrate all month long.

I received Poems to Read to the Very Young, selected by Josette Frank, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin in 1982 when my first child was born. It has two birthday poems I always loved and made sure to read to the children on their birthdays.

The balloons and streamers, the party hats and cake awaiting the party, seem just the thing to set the stage for a perfect birthday. We had many birthday parties for our three children, princesses and cowboys, mask and hat creations, elegant dinners, even one ill-advised surprise party. They all involved balloons, presents, and cakes with candles. Another happy tradition was the Birthday Box, which appeared on the birthday morning filled with dollar bills, candy, and little toys, according to the number of the birthday.

The birthday books I am suggesting today honor the special day – with a bit of reality thrown in. Not every birthday is without a little drama, as every parent knows. The excitement can be too much. Little children get overtired and overwhelmed. Siblings balk at the idea that someone else is having a special day. This is the real stuff of life and is rightfully acknowledged in some of the books I like about birthdays.

Favorite Birthday Books for Young Children

A Birthday For Frances

A Birthday for Frances, by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban, is an all-time favorite. Frances is a very smart big sister but suffers the normal pangs of envy on the occasion of her little sister’s birthday party when the cake, the presents, and the attention are all on Gloria. With the help of her father she finds a present for Gloria, a Chompo bar she would enjoy very much all for herself. It all comes right in the end; the Chompo bar is shared and the sisters end the day in accord with one another

Birthday Presents

Birthday Presents by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson is narrated by the parents of a little girl, telling the story of the birthday celebrations she had when she was very young. It describes the parties or celebrations she had, times she was sick on her birthday, or times when she was tired or temperamental, but always with love and with cake. The acceptance of how life actually is sometimes – imperfections and all, is very reassuring.

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday, by Stan and Jan Berenstain, depicts the birthday party dilemma in the author’s gentle teaching fashion. The family plans a lavish party with ponies and a merry-go-round, games and lots of friends. Mama Bear is concerned it may be too much, and she turns out to be right, as always. Sister Bear loses a game, wins another game but can’t have the prize, eats too much and finally bursts into tears before the presents are even opened. The Bear family learns a lesson that “enough” need not be “too much”.

Carl’s Birthday

For the gorgeous illustrations and the freedom of the wordless tale, I love Carl’s Birthday by Alexandra Day. I mentioned Good Dog, Carl in Wordless Books for Toddlers, and Carl’s Birthday is another lovely one in the series. It’s Carl’s birthday, and he and his toddler follow all the not-so-secret preparations with interest – presents, balloons, refreshments, and guests!

The Birthday Queen

Finally, for all the Birthday Queens out there, this book is for you! I’m not talking about the princes and princesses celebrating their big day, but the person who makes it all happen – the decorations, the ideas for parties, the cakes, the presents. I’m talking about The Birthday Queen by Audrey Wood and Don Wood. This exuberantly illustrated book is a rare nod to all the parents and families and friends out there, kings and queens alike, who make the magic happen for others on their birthdays.

Thanks, Mom, for more wonderful book recommendations. And most of all…