Happy Birthday to Me, written and illustrated by Thao Lam. Groundwood. 2023. $19.99 ages 3 and up

 

"I am daring. 

Eeeeeeek! 

I am mad. 

I am frustrated. 

I am giddy."

A birthday is likely to be the 'best' day of the year for many young children. It is filled with fun, and good wishes, and friends - and emotions. For the little girl whose story this is, the reminder on the calendar has her very excited! Deciding on an outfit takes time and careful thought. Finally, she is READY! 

Feeling as many  young children do, the arrival of her guests has her showing shyness and hiding behind her mom. Quickly the party begins. With every new experience, she is emotional. Her mood changes as the events of the party move forward. There are games, crafts, and cake. The cake makes her hungry; eating too much makes her feel ill. She's 'curious' about the gifts, and 'disappointed' when two are the same. On it goes until she is ... 'overwhelmed'. It's a familiar scenario at the end of a busy, exciting day. 

I love the language that Ms. Lam uses to help her readers experience exactly what is going on as the party progresses. Those listening will certainly recognize the myriad of moods the youngster encounters as she goes through her day. The cut-paper collages are cleverly crafted to bring the party to life and make the emotions apparent. 

Step, written by Deborah Ellis. Groundwood, 2022. $10.99. ages 10 and up

"Well, what I wanted was to be alone. 

On my eleventh birthday, I finally made 

it happen. 
I began my escape with a lie to my teacher. 
I got her attention in the schoolyard as she 
was trying to collect permission slips, check 
off names on a clipboard, hand out luggage 
tags and get twenty-eight kids and their stuff
loaded onto a school bus."

Deborah Ellis is a master storyteller, always thoughtful and sympathetic to the children whose stories she tells. In this book she writes ten stories about children who are celebrating their eleventh birthday. Her main characters live in countries around the world. As I read them, I was trying to imagine what an 11-year-old in the Ukraine might be thinking on her/his birthday today. 

Each of the celebrants in these stories have connections to their families, their friends, and the neighborhood where they live. Eleven is a time when things being to change for many young people. Their circumstances are varied: responsibility within a family, helping neighbors in need of food, learning something awful about a parent, surviving a boat trip with other refugees, taking a stand against exploitation, and helping a sister in trouble. 

The stories exhibit compassion, hope, critical thinking, and consideration for children in all parts of the world. If you haven't yet read this book's companion collection Sit, don't just sit there! Check it out at the library, buy it at your favorite bookstore, or ask a friend. While you are doing that, ask to see if they have a copy of Lunch with Lenin as well.    

* All royalties from the sale of STEP will be donated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees which works to aid and protect people forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict and persecution.