May 4 – Children’s Book Week

About the Holiday

Founded in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States and takes place over two separate weeks each year. This year that means from May 4 – 10 and November 9 – 15. The 2026 theme is Books: Get Curious, and the official poster and other resources were created by award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. The holiday attracts participation from authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians, teachers, and booksellers in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities across the country. To learn more about the holiday, find activity ideas, and download bookmarks, posters, multilingual coloring pages, and more, visit Every Child a Reader. You can even sign up to continue to get fantastic ideas for connecting with books and reading all year around!

Thanks to Beach Lane Books for sending me this book for review!

Little Ghost’s Summerween

By Maggie Edkins Willis

One day, Little Ghost received a birthday party invitation in the mail—his first ever. The idea of a birthday party made him feel nervous. Even after haunting his old house for a hundred years, he’d only “had the Halloween kind.” He asked his friend Anya what they would do and if there would be “bats and black cats and candy corn and pumpkins.” She told him that Elias’s party was going to be “an outdoorsy camp party” with the things he liked. She made it sound fun and encouraged him to go. Little Ghost decided he would.

While Little Ghost liked the indoor festivities, the outdoorsy part posed some problems. Still, the party made Little Ghost want his own birthday party. Since ghosts don’t have birthdays, Little Ghost just picked a summer day and made an invitation list. Then came the hard part—planning his perfect party. He thought and thought: sleepover? karaoke? superhero? None of his ideas felt right. Pretty soon the day arrived and he hadn’t done any party prep at all. His mom said they could still have fun doing anything he’d like.

Tentatively, he asked if they could have a mini-Halloween with just him, her, and Anya. To his delight, she said Yes! While he “had pictured a big bash with balloons, music, and festive friends,” baking and decorating a scary cake and cupcakes with Anya made “him feel special.” When the treats were ready, Little Ghost’s mom suggested eating the birthday cake in the yard. Anya flashed her a big smile as they headed out the door. Outside, Little Ghost found all his friends—in costume!—plus lots of bats, black cats, candy corn, and pumpkins. He couldn’t thank Anya and his “spooktacular” friends more for the “sparkliest, splashiest, Summerween ever!“

In her adorable and heartwarming sequel to Little Ghost Makes a Friend, Maggie Edkins Willis cleverly embraces the increasingly popular Summerween while celebrating individuality and friendship. The supportive relationship between Little Ghost and Anya is a treasure. Children who are more hesitant to try unfamiliar things will feel seen as Little Ghost shares his doubts and fears, and all readers will appreciate Anya’s honest answers and encouragement as well as the understanding shown by Little Ghost’s mom. Maggie Edkins Willis’s perfect pacing creates a touching and joyful ending that will surprise readers as much as it does Little Ghost and give them the feeling they’ve joined the party too.

Expressive, endearing, and heartening, Little Ghost’s Summerween will be a quick favorite for all home and library collections and would make a much-loved gift.

Ages 4 – 8

Beach Lane Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665985147

About the Author

Maggie Edkins Willis grew up in Missouri and Maine. She now writes and illustrates books for children from her home studio in the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her debut picture book, Little Ghost Makes a Friend, is a bestseller. She is also the creator of the picture books Little Ghost’s Summerween, Dinky the Tinysaur, and Thunderland, and the middle grade graphic novel Smaller Sister. You can visit her online at MaggieMadeThis.com.

Children’s Book Week Activity

Books: Get Curious Coloring Pages

This year’s coloring pages based on Grace Lin’s Children’s Book Week poster makes a perfect way for kids to be creative while writing down their To Be Read list! Visit Every Child a Reader to find more activities!

Books: Get Curious Arch | Books: Get Curious Column

You can purchase Little Ghost’s Summerween from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 15 – It’s National Culinary Arts Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

There’s a true art in putting together a delicious meal from seemingly disparate parts, and this month’s holiday honors those with a talent for combining tastes, flavors, and textures. With fresh ingredients available from farm stores, farmers markets, grocery stores, and maybe even your own garden, July is a great month for celebrating the culinary arts. This month, spend time with your kids in the kitchen. It’s a terrific way for them to learn cooking skills and even practice practical math while creating experimental or favorite recipes. And, of course, be sure to remember to make a few treats! Today’s book should get you off to a delicious start!

Thanks to Oni Press for sharing a digital copy of This Is a Birthday Cake with me for review consideration. All opinions about the book are my own.

This is a Birthday Cake

Written by Andrew Cangelose | Illustrated by Josh Shipley

Andrew Cangelose’s two-layered story about making a cake and the history of cake is by turns hilarious and informative. First, kids meet Shelly, a turtle and the forest’s official baker, and Bucky, a rabbit and baker-in-training. Shelly explains that she is “teaching Bucky how to make a birthday cake.” Bucky is rarin’ to go because as soon as the cake is baked, “the party will start.”

But wait! A narrator breaks in on the very next page to reveal that “cake was first used to celebrate birthdays in the Roman Empire two thousand years ago,” but “only became widely popular about two hundred years ago during the Industrial Revolution.” Bucky isn’t too keen on the delay this history lesson has caused, and even less patient with Ms. Shelly’s directive to “visualize out beautiful cake in our minds.”

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Image copyright Josh Shipley, 2022, text copyright Andrew Cangelose, 2022. Courtesy of Oni Press.

But wait! The narrator has another interesting point to make, during which Bucky takes to sticking birthday candles up his nose and in his ears. Finally, Shelly says it’s time to get the recipe and all of the ingredients. Bucky, it seems, is already those steps ahead of Ms. Shelly and hot-foots it out the door, giving her a podcast-worthy “Byeeeee!”

As Bucky speeds into the forest, the recipe tightly gripped in his hand, he imagines his success and the accolades that will follow. At home, Shelly is slowly and methodically making the batter. Bucky takes a moment to reflect on the results of his soon-to-be triumph: “another party just to celebrate [his] accomplishment” and the sad fact that he will most likely be asked to be the new official forest baker.

But what about the ingredients, Bucky? The narrator begins to outline the necessary elements to a good cake. Hmmm… seems Bucky has forgotten to bring these along. No worries, though. Garbage, the ground hog tells Bucky that dirt is delicious: “a little sweet. A little sour. A lot of worms.” Bucky adds it to his pot. Still, he needs a sweetener and a liquid as the narrator describes.

Now, with her cake in the oven, Shelly is relaxing with a hot cup of tea with honey, while Bucky is hightailing it away from a swarm of angry bees. A champion-spitting frog is happy to help out with the liquid. At last, it’s time for the mixing. Ignoring the narrator’s warning about overmixing, Bucky goes at it like a tornado. With no oven to bake his cake in, Bucky comes up with an… ingenious?… solution.

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Image copyright Josh Shipley, 2022, text copyright Andrew Cangelose, 2022. Courtesy of Oni Press.

What’s a birthday cake without decoration, though? To get things moving along quicker, Bucky elicits the help of his forest friends, and in no time, it’s finished. What about Shelly? She’s still carefully drizzling colorful icing on the layers. It’s a good thing Bucky’s cake is ready. The forest animals line up for big pieces, excited to party.

But while Bucky’s congratulating himself and extolling his speed, the animals are coming to a grim realization. It doesn’t take long for Bucky to understand that maybe his cake is a disaster. Fortunately, Shelly is on her way with another cake. The animals watch her coming closer, and closer, and closer… until ta da! “The birthday cake has arrived!”

With two cakes on offer, Shelly wonders about the voracious response to hers, and Bucky reveals his unique recipe. He even admits that he went to fast and that he needs to slow down when he’s excited. Shelly is understanding and promises they can try again tomorrow—if only they can get home before morning.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-this-is-a-birthday-cake-bucky

Image copyright Josh Shipley, 2022, text copyright Andrew Cangelose, 2022. Courtesy of Oni Press.

Wonderfully paced and with funny, realistic dialogue, Andrew Cangelose’s fourth book in his This is a Taco series will have kids and adults laughing out loud as they read it together. Suspense builds as Bucky runs out to bake his own cake with only the recipe to follow. Wanting to discover what substitutions he makes for each ingredient will have readers whipping through the pages as fast as Bucky stirs the batter. And his self-confidence throughout adds another layer of amusing storytelling. Cangelose’s intermittent inclusions of information on the history of cake and a typical recipe is a genius device that not only informs but amplifies Shelly’s slow, careful process that drives Bucky crazy. Bucky’s admission that he worked too fast and Shelly’s patient and understanding response to his failed cake serve up just the right message, sweetened with love.

Josh Shipley’s hilarious illustrations perfectly convey Bucky’s impatience as well as his confidence in his baking prowess. As Bucky’s forest friends help him create his cake, their roles are all the more comical for Shipley’s understated depictions. Clever juxtapositions and well-loved cartoon tropes add to the fun. As the animals—all except one—reject (and eject) the cake, kids will laugh but also empathize with Bucky’s now-sheepish and disappointed expression.

A masterful collaboration between story and art, This Is a Birthday Cake is a humorous and heartfelt must for fans of the series and newbies alike. The book will become a quick favorite on home, school, and public library bookshelves.

Ages 4 – 8

Oni Press, 2022 | ISBN 978-1637150450

You can connect with Andrew Cangelose and Josh Shipley on Twitter.

You can read my review of This Is a Flying Rat here.

National Culinary Arts Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-whisk-bookmark

Don’t Whisk Losing Your Page Bookmark

The author’s of your favorite books have cooked up such fantastic stories that you don’t want to risk missing a word! To make sure that doesn’t happen, use this culinary-themed bookmark!

Supplies

Printable Don’t Whisk Losing Your Page Bookmark
Poster board
Glue

Directions

Print your bookmark
Glue it to the poster board
Cut out the bookmark
Slip it into the book you’re reading now!

**You can find This Is a Birthday Cake at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

February 22 – It’s Bake for Family Fun Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Mid-winter is a perfect time to get out your favorite recipes, gather delicious ingredients, and bake with your kids! Not only does baking together teach valuable cooking skills, but it can bring a family closer. Talk about old family recipes and find new favorites. Of course the best part of baking together is eating the scrumptious treats afterward!

Little Calabash

Written by Margo Leipua’ala Sorenson | Illustrated by Anneth Lagamo

As Keoki’s mom rushed around the kitchen making mango cupcakes, guava frosting, haupia pudding, and starfruit cookies for her son’s birthday party, Little Calabash sat hidden behind the big calabash bowls on the shelf and sighed. The mixer, spoons, rolling pin, and even other bowls were needed. Everyone had a part to play in Keoki’s party… “everyone but him.”

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Image copyright Anneth Lagamo, text copyright Margo Leipua’ala Sorenson. Courtesy of Island Heritage.

Little Calabash asked when it might be his turn, but the cocoa mug just told him, “‘get a handle on yourself,’” and the refrigerator said, “‘You need to chill out.’” Little Calabash just wanted to be special, to be useful. One of the large calabashes said that he just wasn’t big enough to help out. When the coffee pot saw how sad Little Calabash was, she reassured him and told him to keep believing in himself.

But Little Calabash didn’t know how Keoki’s mom would ever see him stuck behind the other items on the shelf. None of the other kitchen tools seemed to want to help, so he began rocking himself side-to-side and finally, he “wiggled his way from behind all the big calabashes.” Even though he had found his way to the edge of the shelf, some in the kitchen didn’t think he had what it took to be part of the birthday celebration.

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Image copyright Anneth Lagamo, text copyright Margo Leipua’ala Sorenson. Courtesy of Island Heritage.

When Keoki’s mother came towards the cupboard, Little Calabash hoped she’d see him. Instead “she took two big calabashes off the shelf.” Soon, it was almost party time. When Keoki saw the cupcakes, he asked if his could be put in a calabash. His mom wasn’t sure they had one the right size. Then Keoki reminded her that they had a little calabash. When she went to look, there was Little Calabash, nearly tipping off the edge. Keoki placed his special cupcake into the bowl and Little Calabash beamed. He’d always known he could be a big part of Keoki’s special day.

A Glossary describing the foods served at Keoki’s birthday party follows the story.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-little-calabash-cupcakes

Image copyright Anneth Lagamo, text copyright Margo Leipua’ala Sorenson. Courtesy of Island Heritage.

With charm and plenty of puns to keep kids giggling throughout the story, Margo Leipua‘ala Sorenson’s Little Calabash reminds readers that even though they may be small, they still have much to offer. Kids will empathize with Little Calabash’s wish to be given a job on this important family day and will cheer on his confidence and initiative when the other kitchen utensils and appliances try to hold him back.

Anneth Lagamo’s vibrant kitchen will engage kids as the utensils, appliances, and dishware get ready to celebrate Keoki’s birthday. Readers will enjoy scanning the pages to match the speakers of Sorenson’s clever puns with the characters. Kids can also clearly see Little Calabash’s sadness at being overlooked, determination to be noticed, and happiness at being chosen at last. Infused with the colors of the Hawaiian Islands, where the story is set, the illustrations will entice kids to learn more about this beautiful area.

Ages 4 – 8

Island Heritage, 2021 | ISBN 978-1617104459

Discover more about Margo Sorenson and her books on her website.

Bake for Family Fun Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-hawaii-fruit-coloring-page

Sweet Hawaiian Fruit Coloring Page

From watermelon to strawberries to starfruit, the treats are sweet in Hawaii! Enjoy this printable coloring page then find more from Nico Made and Honolulu Family.

Sweet Fruit Coloring Page

You can order Little Calabash from Island Heritage

Picture Book Review

August 7 – Celebrating Summer Birthdays

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Summer birthdays hold a special place in my heart because my son was born in July. If you have a birthday in June, July, or August, you know how much fun it can be. The warm weather makes it a perfect time for beach or pool parties, camp out parties, or special trips with family and friends to the zoo, a park, or an amusement park to celebrate. Of course, all birthdays are terrific and have a few things in common – one of which is the inspiration for today’s book!

By Jakki Licare

Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish

By Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld

When it comes to the most important wish-making holiday, the narrator of this celebration guide reveals that “there are , there most definitely are, 10 very specific, tried and true, and absolutely essential Rules For The Making of a Birthday Wish.” The first rule to making a birthday wish is that the wish must be close to your birthday. The only exception to this rule is if you’re an insect who has a small life cycle. If that is you then you must start celebrating at once! “Flutter, flap, fly right on over to Rule #2.”

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Image copyright Tom Lichtenheld, 2019, text copyright Beth Ferry, 2019. Courtesy of G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

The second rule is to celebrate with a party. There are lots of ways to have fun, but hats are a necessity, and decorations will make everything feel more festive. Of course, if you are a rhinoceros (or other other creature with pointy features), please stay away from balloons! Rules three and four are crucial to the success of your wish and involve…dessert! The kind of dessert is up to you, and the narrator takes you on a scrumptious tour of the bakery and in Rule #4 lets you choose your own kind of light. If you’re lucky enough to be a frog, you might “consider using fireflies as your candles AND your dessert.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-ten-rules-of-the-birthday-wish-puffer-fish

Image copyright Tom Lichtenheld, 2019, text copyright Beth Ferry, 2019. Courtesy of G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

Rules #5 and #6 are all about creating just the right atmosphere and enjoying all the accolades coming your way. Rule #7 gets you prepared for the very thing that will make your wish come true – so don’t skip it! When do you actually make your wish? That comes in Rule #8! But you only get one, so “it should definitely be a ‘can’t think of anything greater’ wish.” Then comes Rule #9 (which is when Rule #7 finally makes perfect sense) and you get to blow out your candles.**

**If you happen to be a camel, it’s best to have your friends help you. Why? Well, “No one wants to eat cake spritzed with camel spit.”

Which finally brings us to Rule #10! “Don’t forget that ‘wish’ ends in ‘shhhhhh’ so keep your wish quiet, silent, hush-hush.” And then, after your friends have all gone home and you’re gazing at the moon, it’s time to “dream…of your wish coming true.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-ten-rules-of-the-birthday-wish-rule-8

Image copyright Tom Lichtenheld, 2019, text copyright Beth Ferry, 2019. Courtesy of G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

Children will love counting along with Beth Ferry and her humorous rules on how to make a birthday wish. The narrator’s whimsical wording, such as: “If you’re lucky enough to have friends who can warble, croon, and carry a tune, sit back and enjoy the show,” makes the story a delicious read aloud. Readers will giggle as the narrator points out hilarious exceptions to every rule. All children look forward to that magical moment when they lean toward the lighted candles on their birthday treat, close their eyes, make a wish, and…blow! Ferry captures all the fun, dreams, and possibility in her story that’s sure to become a birthday reading tradition.

Tom Lichtenheld’s sweet and vibrant characters sure do know how to party! Each character is colorfully rendered and bursts with personality. The King Lion’s careless posture embodies his power as he easily blows out all the candles; the endearing smile on the one-year-old turtle’s face melts your heart as he celebrates his birthday with his grandfather turtle, who has too many candles to count; and the Baker bear smiles over the counter with a dripping mixing spoon as his young customers choose their birthday treat. Lichtenheld also creates several unique moments in his drawings: a chorus of bird sing so beautifully that their musical notes levitate their friend Squirrel’s birthday cake right off the tree branch, and on a child’s closed eyes, the lash line is transformed into the stem of a flower, illustrating the magic of a birthday wish.

If you are wishing for a great book with beautiful wording and fun illustrations to add to your home, school, or public libraries to help celebrate a child’s special day, then Ten Rules of The Birthday Wish is just the book for you.

Ages 4-8

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2019| ISBN 978-1524741549

Discover more about Beth Ferry and her books on her website.

Discover more about Tom Lichtenheld, his art and his books on his website.

Celebrating Summer Birthdays Activity

Birthday Candle Craft

With this fun craft, you can practice blowing out your candle for the big day!

Supplies

Printable Birthday Candle Template
Crayons/colored pencils
Scissors
Toilet Paper Tube
Toothpick
Hot glue gun
Glue
1/2” x 1” rectangular piece of a Cereal box

Directions

Print out Template
Color and cut out template
Poke toothpick through the top of the toilet paper tube
From your chipboard/cereal box, cut out a .5”x 1” rectangle
Glue flames to the top of the chip board (this will give the flame some stability)
Hot glue the bottom of the flame to the toothpick
Glue colored template around toilet paper tube
Hold the cardboard candle, close your eyes, and make a wish!

**You can find Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

July 3 – International Drop a Rock Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

International Drop a Rock Day was instituted in 2015 by Word Rocks Project as a way to spread positivity and bring people together. By leaving rocks painted with uplifting words, phrases, and designs in places where others could find and enjoy them, the founders of today’s holiday hoped to spread joy and a feeling of community. Each year more and more people participate across the United States and around the world. This year’s theme is Togetherness. To join the movement, gather some rocks, wash and dry them, then decorate! Add #wordrocks to the back to let others know about the project and help spread the word. You can find out more at wordrocks.me. You can read about two kids who really appreciate rocks and would love the fun of today’s holiday in today’s book!

Thanks go out to Charlesbridge for sending me a copy of Cavekid Birthday to for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Cavekid Birthday

Written by Cathy Breisacher | Illustrated by Roland Garrigue

In two neighboring caves on the very same day, Caveboy and Cavegirl were born. They did everything together and grew to be best friends. “Eventually Caveboy discovered that he loved…rocks!” He showed Cavegirl his collection of shiny, spiny, smooth, and colorful rocks to Cavegirl and even taught her how “to play stone toss.” Cavegirl developed a love of tools—tools that she could dig, build, and paint with. She shared her tools with Caveboy and “taught him how to create masterpieces on cave walls.”

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Image copyright Roland Garrigue, 2019, text copyright Cathy Breisacher, 2019. Courtesy of Charlesbridge.

As their birthdays neared, Cavegirl tried making Caveboy a present, but her efforts failed. She decided to go to Caveman’s Collectibles to see what she could find. There, she spied a “‘Box for Caveboy’s rocks!’” Caveman was happy to make a trade. Cavegirl said, “‘Have nothing to trade except…tools!’” It took all ten of Cavegirl’s tools to get the box, but she knew Caveboy would love it.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-cavekid-birthday-unwrapping-caveman-cavegirl

Image copyright Roland Garrigue, 2019, text copyright Cathy Breisacher, 2019. Courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Meanwhile, Caveboy was making a present for Cavegirl. He had no luck either, so he hurried down to Caveman’s Collectibles. Inside, he spied the perfect gift: “‘Box for Cavegirl’s tools,’” he told Caveman. This box cost twenty rocks—all that Caveboy had—but he knew Cavegirl would love it. When they exchanged gifts, they ripped off the wrapping and…. Without tools or rocks to keep in the boxes, they found other uses for them. They were great for playing hide-and-seek and making carts to race in, but they began to miss their old favorite things.

They went back to Caveman Collectibles and told Caveman their dilemma. “‘Make trade?’ they asked.” For their rocks and tools, Caveboy and Cavegirl gave Caveman a shiny polished and painted store. And Cavegirl and Caveboy? They had best birthday ever!

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-cavekid-birthday-unwrapping-gifts

Image copyright Roland Garrigue, 2019, text copyright Cathy Breisacher, 2019. Courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Cathy Breisacher knows how much kids love to rock their birthdays. In her original story set in a precociously prehistoric time, Breisacher chisels a funny and touching tale about the true meaning of friendship. Cavegirl and Caveboy only pause for a moment before trading their most precious belongings to get a gift for the other. Without things to put inside the boxes, Caveboy and Cavegirl—like kids of all eras—find other creative ways to use them. When they begin to miss their rocks and tools, instead of feeling regret they work together to devise an innovative way to get them back—and make Caveman happy too. Kids will be wrapped up in the suspense and enjoy hearing—and repeating—Breisacher’s cavespeak, and in the end will take the ever-timely lesson to heart.

There are plenty of hairy moments in Cavekid Birthday, and Roland Garrigue takes full advantage to create wild and wooly (mammoth) illustrations to accompany the story. Caveboy and Cavegirl play hide-and-seek among dinosaur bones, race their bear and elephant ancestor pets, and may be the world’s first collector and artist. Hilarious modern-primitive mash-ups—like furry, animal skin wrapping paper—will have kids laughing and pointing out the anachronisms.

Children would love finding Cavekid Birthday among their gifts, and adding the book to home, classroom, and library shelves will ensure a sweet and timeless story time.

Ages 4 – 8

Charlesbridge, 2019 | ISBN 978-1580898768

Discover more about Cathy Breisacher and her books on her website.

You can read an interview with Cathy here!

To learn more about Roland Garrigue, his books, and his art, visit his website.

Book trailer good! Watch. Fun!

International Drop a Rock Day Activity

CPB - rock painting craft

Rock This Craft!

Smooth stones can give talented artists like yourself a natural canvas for your creativity! Use your imagination to design rocks to leave for people to find on paths or sidewalks, near a store, or anywhere in your neighborhood. You may even want to leave one outside your local library. That’s where I found the rock pictured here!

Supplies

Smooth stones in various sizes
Paint or markers
Small magnets, available at craft stores
Jewelry pins, available at craft stores
Paint brush
Strong glue

Directions

Find stones in your yard or neighborhood or buy them at a craft store or garden center
Wash and dry rocks as needed
Design and paint an image on the stone
Have fun finding spots to leave your works of art!

**You can find Cavekid Birthday at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop| IndieBound

Picture Book Review

February 24 – It’s the Book Birthday of Eat the Cake!

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

You’re invited to a party! When: Today! Where: Right here! Who: Compendium’s newest picture book – Eat the Cake! But if you’re thinking you need a gift…no worries. As you’ll soon discover, this book is all about showing you that you’re a gift! So, give a cheer and and read on and help me welcome Eat the Cake to bookstore and library shelves.

I received a copy of Eat the Cake from Compendium for review consideration. All opinions are my own. The lovely and generous people at Compendium also invited me to become a member of their affiliate program. This post contains an affiliate link.

Eat the Cake

Written by M.H. Clark | Illustrated by Jana Glatt

A cast of colorful and whimsical characters welcomes the reader with smiles and shouts and horns that blow confetti. There’s also a heartening promise that “so many good things will be coming your way!” Turning the page, more members of this fanciful community urge kids to bask in the sun that’s shining on them while deciding just what they might like to do and when they would like to begin: “Choose a dream, set a path, see how far you will go. / Find out what you can do with the things that you know.”

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Image copyright Jana Glatt, 2020, text copyright M.H. Clark, 2020. Courtesy of Compendium.

Now that kids are rarin’ to go, they’re reminded about those ideas they may have stashed away and are encouraged to consider them again with their “new, daring self.” No matter where their talents lie, children are cheered on to show their brilliance and invite the world to join in as they make their mark. When should this jubilation take place? Why not now? Today! After all, “It’s your day to be wild and fearless and free. / It’s your day for becoming the next thing you’ll be.” The party can roar for a day, a week, or even a year as the world celebrates with confetti and streamers and lots of balloons and shouting “your name when you walk in the room.”

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Image copyright Jana Glatt, 2020, text copyright M.H. Clark, 2020. Courtesy of Compendium.

So, embrace it all—everything you want to get done. Make your big plans, break records, and take those chances that come your way. And in the midst of this celebration of you, don’t forget: “whatever you do, eat the cake.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-eat-the-cake-spread-more-to-do

Image copyright Jana Glatt, 2020, text copyright M.H. Clark, 2020. Courtesy of Compendium.

M.H. Clark’s joyful jamboree of a book will inspire any child to embrace all that they are and all they want to do today and in the future with upbeat rhyming couplets that spark confidence, happiness, and a sense of independence and carefree spontaneity. The idea that good things await those who use their talents, aren’t shy about tooting their own horn, share experiences with others, and, of course, always take the opportunity to “eat the cake” is reassuring and will embolden readers to dive into life.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-eat-the-cake-spread-stars

Image copyright Jana Glatt, 2020, text copyright M. H. Clark, 2020. Courtesy of Compendium.

Exhilarating in their quirky inventiveness, Jana Glatt’s people, creatures, and animals gleefully take center stage, reveling in their uniqueness and inviting the “you” of the story—a sun-shaped cutie in striped pants and sporting a party hat—to join them. On the first page, children are greeted by a man whose wavy beard hosts a steamship, a person who’s all legs and arms and head, a woman with a mushroom skirt, and a color-block block of a guy whose looong feet may be the only things keeping him upright.

Kids will identify with the sunny celebrant who goes page to page soaking up the good wishes, exploring meandering paths, dancing with three distinctive friends, and flying, flitting, and floating here and there on the way to the festive party where the cake awaits. A rainbow of bold, fresh colors, topsy-turvy perspectives, and lots and lots of smiles make every page as joyful as the message.

A perfect gift for birthdays or graduations, Eat the Cake is also a stirring book for any time of the year. A sunburst of inspiration, the book would be an often-reached-for addition to home, school, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Compendium, 2020 | ISBN 978-1946873842

Discover more books by M.H. Clark on Instagram.

To view a portfolio of artwork by Jana Glatt, visit her on Instagram and tumblr.

Eat the Cake Book Birthday Activity

It’s Cake Time! Maze

Help the kids make their way through this printable maze so they can enjoy a piece of cake. Make sure each one picks up a cupcake too!

It’s Cake Time! Maze | It’s Cake Time! Maze Solution

This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase from Compendium through the link below, I’ll earn a small commission which I will use to keep celebrating wonderful picture books––and, maybe, for a small piece of cake.

You can purchase Eat the Cake at Compendium

Picture Book Review

January 27 – National Chocolate Cake Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Cake

Written by Sue Hendra | Illustrated by Paul Linnet

Cake had received an invitation to a party. “He’d never been to a party before, so he didn’t know what to expect.” He wanted to look his best, though, so he tried on different outfits and asked Fish what he thought. Fish didn’t think the pink parasol, the pirate get up, or the superhero costume were quite right. Fish suggested Cake wear a hat, so Cake went off to the shops in town to find one.