Friday, May 18, 2012

Welcome in Spring with a Good Book -- Big Birthday by Kate Hosford (Review)



Big Birthday

  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (February 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0761354107
  • ISBN-13: 978-0761354109
  • Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches 
  • Buy now from Amazon for only $13.03.


Summary:


Annabelle was tired of birthdays at the zoo. She yawned at the monkeys and the baby kangaroo. My birthday is soon. It's practically here. I think I'll have my party on the moon this year. Annabelle is determined to have a birthday party that stands out from the rest. The moon seems like the perfect spot! But wearing spacesuits and partying in a place with no air create some challenges that Annabelle didn't expect. Will her out-of-this-world birthday still be a blast?

My Thoughts:

If you are loving the beautifully illustrated front cover of this book, then you must see the inside pages, as they are just as breathtaking.  I like sharing books with Savannah that have eye catching illustrations that are not seen in other children's books. As for the story, this was grand to, with its rhyming scheme that made the words dance along the page.  As a reader, you follow Annabelle as she sets on on celebrating her birthday in a new way -- on the moon.  Yes, you read that right.  She has grown tired of birthdays at the zoo, and wants this year's birthday to be special.  But, once on the Moon, she realizes that it wasn't what she had hoped for and just wanted to return home.  When she arrives back home, she proclaims that next year's birthday will be much better.  Will it be?  You will just have to pick up this book and read it with your child. 

Savannah loved the illustrations just as much as I did.  And, as we enjoyed the story, I kept reminding Savannah that her birthday is almost here, and that I have something special planned for her.  It will not be a trip to the moon, but something that will be memorable and fun. I also plan to continue to read this fun story to her each and every year as her birthday approaches, to not only provide entertainment, but also hear her feedback on the type of party she wants.  Who knows, we may even spend time reminiscing on her favorite birthday party moments.  :-)

This book is for any little girl with a big imagination!

About the Author:

Kate Hosford read constantly as a child, even reading through a school fire alarm at one point. She grew up in Waitsfield, Vermont, with lots of animals, including a miniature cow named Mini Moo. Kate attended Amherst College, and also spent a semester studying Buddhism in India. Kate has worked as an adoption and foster care worker, a teacher and an illustrator, before turning to writing full time. She has taught in New York, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. She is presently getting her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Chris, and her two sons, Charlie and Andreas. Kate enjoys singing and dancing with her boys. Her free time is spent trying to keep up with them!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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