Finding the Birthday Cake: Helping Children Raise Their Self-Esteem (Let's Talk Book) [Paperback]

Elizabeth Wagele (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007 | Age Range: 6 - 9 years | Series: Let's Talk Book

Based on the ancient Enneagram theory ("ennea" is Greek for nine; "gram" means drawing), this delightful book explores the nine styles of personalities and teaches children how to value differences, embrace diversity, and create a world of peace and acceptance. Walter, a most serious bird, has made a birthday cake for the most "perfect party" he is throwing for Ninosaur, his prehistoric pal. The only problem is: he seems to have lost it! With the celebration just hours away, Walter asks his many friends to help him, only to discover that everyone's methods are very different. Quick Timmy uses his optimism. Creative Franny longs to logically figure out the mystery. The adventurous 7 cows try anything, and Amy — strong, tough and determined — hopes to find it all on her own. Through their joint ministrations the cake is found in time and the party is a great success.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

While this book was meant for children, in the years it has been on the market I have heard it has been read to children as young as four years old and by adults of all ages. Enneagram teachers in several countries assign it to their students who are busy business men and women for a quick introduction to the Enneagram. I chose animals to describe the 9 types of people because they were fun to work with and because readers wouldn't identify them with real people they might know. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Elizabeth Wagele is a noted author of 7 books and one CD, illustrator, and musical performer. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, she resides in California with her husband and is the mother of four grown children and a grandmother of eight. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: New Horizon Press (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882822772
• ISBN-13: 978-0882822778
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 0.2 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #669,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Moved to Berkeley at ten, majored in music at Cal , married Gus, had four children and taught piano lessons. Renee and I wrote The Enneagram Made Easy - I drew the cartoons in it and Are You My Type, Am I Yours? Then I wrote The Enneagram of Parenting, Finding the Birthday Cake, and The Happy Introvert. I like to play the piano. I've made up some Enneagram variations. Don't forget the "Beethoven Enneagram" CD I made playing parts of his sonatas. That was an interesting project. My latest was "The Career Within You" with Ingrid Stabb. Am working on a book about death and dying. I love my kids and grandkids. I'm always curious about something - a 5 in the Enneagram. INFP in the MBTI.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's here at last!! July 3, 2007

By Jeanne St John

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Liz Wagele has done it again! Her adaptation of the Enneagram for young children is a great way to introduce this ancient and universal wisdom to your children, grandchildren, and to your classroom students. She has woven the characteristics of the nine Enneagram (Greek for NINE and DRAWING) types into a charming, cleverly illustrated story of nine different animals preparing for a birthday party. While helping the serious and "perfect" Walter One search for the lost birthday cake, they demonstrate their particular types.

The defining characteristics of the types are highlighted by each animal's hopes for the birthday party. Walter ONE hoped for the most PERFECT; Tina TWO for the FRIENDLIEST; Timmy THREE for the most SUCCESSFUL; Franny FOUR for the most SPECIAL; Freddy FIVE for the most INTERESTING; Stevie SIX for the SAFEST; SEVENs for the most FUN; EIGHTs for the most EXUBERANT; and NINEs for the most MELLOW party.

The search for the birthday cake is fun and engaging while it introduces children to the NINE TYPES OF KIDS, each with special gifts. When kids compare themselves to others, which they inevitably do, they now have this template of different types to help them understand why we don't all have the same needs or reactions. They can begin to understand why some of us are naturally fearful, others bold; some of us are studious while others are adventurous; and why some of us are easily angered and others very mellow.

In addition to the charming story and its lessons for children, this book includes a section with tips for parents and teachers about using the Enneagram, and simple checklists for each of the types to help parents and kids figure themselves out.... This book, a major contribution to the field, gives parents and teachers an engaging tool to use with children from preschool through elementary grades. Parents and teachers can better understand their children, while children learn to identify and appreciate the nine different types of people. I'm sending a copy of Finding the Birthday Cake to all the children in our extended family and encouraging their parents to get Liz Wagele's other Enneagram books for additional information and support. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars the enneagram - super-simplified August 31, 2008

By Carol C. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

As a huge enneagram fan, I find myself explaining the nine types and sharing my copy of Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele's brilliant "The Enneagram Made Easy" often -- so I was thrilled to find this little nugget that distills the enneagram to simplest form and presents it in a format that makes sense for adults and children alike.

The nine types are perfectly cast animal characters en route to a birthday party --
Walter One is a rule-following canary who wants to have a perfect party -- but he's lost the birthday cake. Tina Two is a cocker spaniel (perfect!) who wants to be helpful and find the cake, cheer others up, and have a friendly party. Timmy Three, a toad, wants a successful party. Franny Four, a pink-maned pony, wants a special party. Freddy Five, a rabbit, wants an interesting party. Stevie Six, a cautious scaredy cat, wants a safe party. Seven cows want a fun party. Amy Eight, "the most confident fish you've ever met" wants an exuberant party. Ninosaur the dinosaur wants a mellow party.

Whether or not you're familiar with the enneagram, you'll be able to recognize each of the types quickly. (While reading this, I couldn't help but typecast my child & her pre-K classmates -- the bossy eight, the teacher-pleaser two, the rule-following one . . . )

The short story highlights the different gifts / traits of each of the nine types and provides some insight on how to motivate/encourage children of each type. Checklists in the back list behavioral traits of each of the nine types to help teachers and parents determine a particular child's type. I think the book is better directed at adults working with children than at children.... The book is subtitled "Helping Children Raise Their Self-Esteem" -- although the text describes the contributions and gifts of each of the nine types, it does not depict all nine types in a universally flattering way. I thought Amy Eight and Franny Four were spot on, but if I were a kid, I wouldn't want to be either one based on the description and illustrations in the book. Despite the simplistic presentation, the book is probably best used by adults, to ensure no hard feelings.

This is a just-scratching-the-surface introduction. It might be a good springboard for someone who knows nothing about the enneagram to learn basics of the types, or for an adult familiar with the enneagram to understand the types as manifested in children. I highly recommend all of the Barron-Wagele enneagram books for further reading. They're all brilliantly illustrated with on-point cartoons. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Differences Are Your Gifts to the World December 4, 2009

By Gail A. Olson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Children and adolescents are often given negative labels for their unique differences. This author identifies the special gifts of each child and helps them utilize these strengths in building self-esteem and improving their lives. It helps parents (and therapists) recognize the unique personality types and styles of each child. An experienced child therapist uses this with each child she sees and she has a very successful practice--she sees children as the gift they are to the world. The book is brief, concise and yet filled with ideas. Every child therapist would benefit from having this book on their shelf--although it would rarely be on the shelf! It would be used daily!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars true diversity - enneagram types - exhibited in children's story February 13, 2008

By jeanette VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People by Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele is my favorite enneagram book i am a very visually-oriented person & the generous salting of witty pictures throughout along with to-the-point profiles & helpful hints for each type is just excellent. Wagele has gone solo on several more books - all that i have read are worth your time (i haven't read the beethoven piano sonatas one).

"Finding the Birthday Cake" by Wagele could be subtitled "The Enneagram Made Even Easier - for Children". it tells a story that demonstrates the concerns & contributions of each enneagram type with colorful illustrations.

i should resent it since it only gives my type - 7 - two pages in the main story, turns us into a herd - all the rest are individuals - & makes us sound like frivolous folk indeed - but i don't.

warning: because elizabeth's books are all square (or so it seems) i assumed this would have the same heft as the others - it doesn't at 48 pages, as is reasonable - now that i think of it - in a children's book.