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Librarian’s Review of Publisher’s Advance Copy Date: November 13, 2013 Author:

Terry Border

Editor:

Title: Happy Birthday, Cupcake Illustrator:

Photographer:

Publisher: Philomel Books

Publication Date: 2015

ISBN: 978-0-399-17160-4 Nonfiction:

Easy:

Pages: 32 Fiction:

Terry Border

Price: $17.99 Genre/Dewey Classification:

Theme or Topic: Birthdays - Fiction; Parties – Fiction; Friendship - Fiction Grade Range: PreK-1st Quality Rating    

Purchase Rating Outstanding Above Average Average Below Average

Highly Recommended Recommended Additional Selection Not Recommended

Annotation: The characters in this simple story are an assortment of food items, from sweets to the healthier variety. All have wire appendages, but no facial features. Cupcake is trying her best to plan a perfect birthday celebration that everyone will enjoy. Her best friend, Muffin, listens to her brainstorming but has a reason that each idea will not work. If they have a beach party some might get drippy, a boat party might leave soup seasick, a makeover would not be appealing to everyone, and musical chairs would leave the delicate items subject to being squashed. When they reach Muffin’s place Cupcake is truly surprised and happy when all of her friends shout, “Surprise!” Comments/Evaluation: While the story is sweet, it is nothing special on its own. It is the paring with the photographs that make this book special. Border’s colorful photographs are humorous and quirky. It is strange seeing characters with no faces, but somehow it works. The attention to detail and subtle touches of humor will have the reader revisiting the book. This title is recommended for its uniqueness and whimsy. Prepared by: Laura Reeb, Librarian

Campus: Spicewood Elementary