Published by Roaring Brook Press
Summary: “When’s my birthday/where’s my birthday?/how many days until my birthday?” an exuberant child asks repeatedly as she counts down to the big day. She anticipates eating cake and other treats, inviting friends to a party, and getting presents. The night before her birthday, she vows to stay awake, but ultimately falls asleep, dreaming of tomorrow. And finally…”It’s the daytime!/here’s my birthday!/happy happy! hee! hee! hee!/time for cakey/wakey wakey/happy happy day to me!” 40 pages; ages 3-6.
Pros: I’ve seen this on some Caldecott prediction lists lately. The simple rhyming text and cheerful collage illustrations perfectly capture pre-birthday excitement for the under-ten crowd. This would make an ideal birthday gift.
Cons: I was pretty exhausted by the time the birthday finally arrived.
