Happy Birthday Hamster by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Derek Anderson (Scholastic, New York) $20
My Friend Henry by Philippe Beha (Scholastic Canada) $17
BIRTHDAYS are really exciting when you are actually young enough to anticipate the joys of getting older and bigger.
Not too many holidays trump the pleasures of this special and very personal day which explains why there are hundreds of picture books with a birthday theme.
Philippe Beha's colourful, breezy illustrations perfectly accompany a simple story about a little boy's growing anxiety about the whereabouts of his friend Henry in My Friend Henry. He interrogates a variety of animals, providing an ever more detailed description of his missing friend only to discover Henry has been spotted in the company of not one or two or three but many friends. All is resolved happily when he returns home to find not only Henry but all their mutual friends gathered to wish him a happy birthday.
The concept of friendship as inclusive and not exclusive is gently shared with young readers. The simply drawn characters portrayed against bright pastel backgrounds manage to convey a broad range of emotions. A sweet story for the picture book crowd with a very happy ending.
Beha has won many awards including the Mr. Christie's Book Award and the Governor General's Award.
Happy Birthday Hamster also focuses on the theme of angst over a perceived forgotten special day. Hamster accompanies his large friend Dog as he races to finish an endless round of errands. In rollicking verse, Dog asks Hamster to help him choose items from the bakery, the toy store and the party store before the two of them end up at the barbershop for a little pre-party primping. Each time Hamster tells Dog what he really likes, Dog apparently picks something different. Readers will note that the joke is on Hamster as the illustrations show his friends happily purchasing his chosen items behind his back. By the end of the book it is clear to everyone but Hamster that his day is going to have a very happy ending. In fact, the reader is invited on the front endpapers to attend Hamster's party but to make sure to keep it a secret. Hamster is of course thrilled to discover that the deception was planned in order to surprise him and the day ends with a wonderful party.
Cynthia Lord is a Newbery Honor author and Derek Anderson is the illustrator of the delightful Little Quack books written by Lauren Thompson. Happy Birthday Hamster with its oversize format, funny rhymes and delightful illustrations is an inspired partnership. The following picture books about birthdays are also good to share:
Angelina's Birthday by Katherine Holabird A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban Fortunately by Remy Charlip Happy Birthday, Dolores by Barbara Samuels Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch Happy Birthday to You, Blue Kangaroo by Emma Chichester Clark Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish by Cynthia Rylant The Party by Barbara Reid Scaredy Squirrel has a Birthday Party by Melanie Watt The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle
Fran Ashdown worked as the head of the children's department at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Libraries for many years. She is happy to have another Capricorn in the family with whom to celebrate a winter birthday. For more information, check your local libraries.
