Happy birthday, wonderful you! by Ms Rachel. Illus. by Monique Dong

Anyone with children or grandchildren knows about Ms Rachel, a bubbly presenter who involves young children in her range of stories, dances and activities on daytime television. She is ever enthusiastic, her sets colourful and inviting, her demeanour open, friendly and energetic. Other books in her series are shown on the last endpaper.

This book contains lots of information about birthdays and all the wonderful words and customs associated with that day.

Ms Rachel puts the readers in the spotlight asking them when their birthday is. With this in mind, she encourages readers to think about how far away their date of birth is and this leads her to tell them about the meaning of the word, birthday. Next comes the idea of having a party to celebrate a birthday and she shows the readers how to make invitations for family and friends to come on that day. Preparation for the day includes making a cake, making decorations, icing the cake when it is ready, and welcoming friends, Bean and Herbie who come to the door. Games are played, pin the tail on the donkey, for example, and finally the cake is presented with the friends singing Happy birthday. When the cake is eaten, presents are given, and the words, thank you, used in profusion. Some quiet time might be needed if the friends are tired out with the activities, and even if things don’t go strictly to plan, the memories of that special day will be there forever.

This book with its soft, striking illustrations, features Ms Rachel going about the preparations needed for a birthday party. The images on each page detail the sorts of things done at birthday parties, showing the three friends smiling and laughing as they celebrate the special day. The detailed illustrations invite children to point out all the words and customs associated wit the word, birthday, and laugh along with Ms Rachel, Bean and Herbie after singing the birthday song.

I love the gentle reminders through the story of the manners required at welcoming people for example, and suggesting they may be tired and thanking when the presents are given.

Themes: Birthdays, Manners, Politeness, Relationships, Friends, Humour, Ms Rachel.

Fran Knight