Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish

December 15, 2018
A happy count-up to a birthday wish. The opening page proclaims, "There are, / there most definitely are, / 10 / very specific, tried and true, / and absolutely essential / Rules For The Making of / a Birthday Wish." The ensuing spreads detail these rules, all delivered in an exuberant, humorous tone, as well as exceptions and modifications to those rules. For example, the second rule instructs, "You must have a PARTY!" at which balloons are recommended décor, unless "you are a rhinoceros, a swordfish, / a sea urchin, or pointy in any way." The accompanying illustrations show these "pointy" creatures popping said balloons with sound-effect "POP!"s and apologies of "oopsie," "sorry," and "my bad" issuing from their mouths. Every step up to and including the clever 10th rule, "Don't forget that 'wish' ends in / 'shhhhhh' / so keep your wish quiet, / silent, / hush-hush," is satisfyingly humorous and sure to gift readers with guffaws. Lichtenheld's art matches the text's humor on each spread, with anthropomorphic animal antics and a few human revelers, too. A spare moment at the sixth rule fearlessly embraces the white of the page as the text states "You must close your eyes," and art shows a sweep of lashes on either side of the gutter indicating closed eyes plus an embellishment of a flower to symbolize "something extraordinary" in a birthday wish. A gift of a book to open again and again. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2019

PreS-K-Every child longs for their birthday and spends hours dreaming about the big day, and the rules in this joyful book will feel completely familiar to many ("Rule no. 2: You must have a PARTY!"; "Rule no. 8: You must make a Wish"). Children will especially love reading and rereading this book to laugh about the exceptions to the 10 birthday rules and to point out fun details of Lichtenheld's anthropomorphic animal drawings. Every birthday rule has at least one exception, and each one is silly, charming, or both. For example, food, streamers, confetti, and balloons are great for a party unless you are an animal that is "pointy in any way." If so, author Ferry observes that these animals might want to "skip the balloons," and Lichtenheld's illustrations of a rhino, swordfish, and sea urchin all popping balloons are wonderful, as are their short apologetic commentaries ("oopsie," "sorry," "my bad"). Along with the rules and the humorous exceptions, the story has a pervading sweetness, reminding grown-ups to cherish the days of birthday wishes and to celebrate the optimism and hopefulness of young children. VERDICT This celebratory book will appeal to children and parents alike-a wonderful read-aloud for any time of year.-Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, CA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2019
Preschool-G From the writer and illustrator of Stick and Stone? (2015), this picture book sets out the ground rules for an enduring ritual that begins in early childhood: making a birthday wish. Can there possibly be 10 rules? Why, yes: (1) Sometime near your birthday, (2) at a party, (3) with a dessert (quite possibly cake), (4) a candle is lit and (5) a song is sung. (6) Close your eyes, (7) take a deep breath, (8) make a wish, (9) blow out the flame with one breath, and, finally, (10) keep your wish a secret. While that may sound straightforward, Ferry ingeniously comes up with exceptions and amendments as she considers various silly scenarios that involve beasts, birds, bugs, and sea creatures attempting to follow the traditional birthday rules. Meanwhile, Lichtenheld illustrates the scenes with endearing animal characters and plenty of humor. The large-scale pictures show up very well from a distance, making this picture book a natural for sharing with groups of children. A treat that will make any birthday (or storytime) a little happier.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)