Product Description

Lee Bennett Hopkins and Hilary Knight welcome every boy and girt to a joyful celebration of everybody's favorite day -- a birthday. Hopkins assembles a delightful collection of birthday verse from a few of children's literature's finest poets, and Knight's exuberant watercolors illustrate the festivities from invitations to thank you notes. Together they've created the perfect little gift for any child on his or her most special day of the year.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #732625 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Amazon.com Review
"Whatever you are on your birthday, you were never that old before, you will never be that young again." These wise words from poet Beatrice Schenk de Regniers help explain why Lee Bennett Hopkins and Hilary Knight decided that a book should be devoted to the celebration of this momentous occasion in everyone's life. It's special. It's important. It's fun. And this little book embraces every aspect of the big day, from party invitations to cake to pinning the tail on the donkey to making a birthday wish. With help from such luminaries as Dr. Seuss, Nancy White Carlstrom, Myra Cohn Livingston, and none other than William Shakespeare (whose birthday was April 23, we learn from the list of famous birthdays on the inside cover), this collection of birthday verses will delight every birthday boy or girl. Hilary Knight's familiar style (as seen in Eloise, of course!) graces the pages with lighthearted playfulness. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly
Unlike these collaborators' recent Side by Side, this small picture book is really two volumes in one: an extended collection of verse, accompanied by a wordless depiction of a boy's activities on his birthday. Knight cleverly interweaves the disparate poems with the day-long festivities: the gift of a mouse from the boy's brother, a party where his friends play pin the tail on the donkey. Although the illustrations are full of humor and characteristic elan, these lackluster, greeting card-like verses offer little charm or wordplay. Nevertheless, the book may satisfy those looking for an unusual birthday greeting. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
An appealing, hand-sized collection of 16 poems, mostly contemporary and familiar but concluding with a line from Shakespeare, deftly arranged to lead the reader through a day and the preparations for a traditional party. Knight's lively tots are expressive and amusing. A simple idea for a book, executed with unusual success. (Poetry/Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

A wonderful addition to my poetry library!
This is a wonderful celebration of a child's most momentous occasion, their birthday! As a teacher, I use this book to spend a few moments on each child's birthday to share a fun poem! The children love to read these on their own after I've shared them orally. Another favorite title to show children how important they are is On the Day You Were Born.

Illustrations mar the collection!
This otherwise fine collection is marred by Knight's illustrations of a child playing Indian! In the party scene, children wear hats, including a feathered headband. Now, anyone can CHOOSE to be a pirate, or a sailor, or one can BECOME a prince or princess. But, one cannot CHOOSE to be a Native American, nor can they BECOME one simply by putting on a feathered headband. Teachers and parents interested in social justice can point this out to children if they choose to buy the book. Consider the parallel: if you are going to allow children to "be" a Native American, then it is only fair to allow them to "be" a Jew or an African American, or Asian American, or Latino/a American. We readily acknowledge that it would be inappropriate to dress up in blackface, etc. The same acknowledgement and respect is due Native Americans.