It's My Birthday, Too! [Hardcover]

Lynne Jonell (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Christopher would rather have a dog than a little brother who ruins his birthday parties, but when his brother begins to act like a puppy Christopher has a change of heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jonell and Mathers hit the bull's-eye with this look at sibling rivalry, which brings together the two lead characters from their earlier books. Christopher, the magically empowered toddler of Mommy Go Away!, now six (judging by the candles on his cake), is older brother to redheaded Robbie, who fashioned make-believe reptiles from his family's belongings in I Need a Snake. In this latest installment, it's Christopher's birthday, leaving the younger sibling to play second banana. After cruelly disabusing Robbie of the idea that it's his birthday, too, Christopher lowers another boom: the younger boy can't come to the party. "You came last year," Christopher says, "and you wrecked everything." Rejected as a brother, Robbie assumes the role of compliant puppy insteadAwith such gusto (including howling during the singing of "Happy Birthday") that Christopher reaches a grudging appreciation of his sibling's devotion. The boys' parents are seen but not heard (they are silent partners in the party preparations); Robbie and Christopher forge the resolution themselves, and it feels both satisfying and authentic. Once again, Mathers's brightly crayoned, stick-figure drawings exhibit wit and poignancy: Robbie's tiny eyes under furrowed brow or topping off a grin express the pains and joys of siblinghood. Jonell's story, told mostly through dialogue, is as credible as if she were eavesdropping on two primary- school-age brothers. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Every older sibling will understand why Christopher doesn't want his little brother at his birthday party-last year Robbie wrecked everything. Christopher says he would rather have a puppy than a brother. "Would you let a puppy come to your party?" Robbie inquires. The birthday boy says he would if he were to obey all of his commands. So Robbie comes to the party as an obedient (well, semi-obedient) pet, and his tricks, both mischievous and comical, make the party guests all wish they had a dog, too. The naive, childlike stick figures in bright colors are cheerful and expressive. Robbie's barking, shoelace chewing, howling during the birthday song, and jumping on the table to lick the frosting are as innocently exuberant as the antics of any preschooler with an active imagination. Even when Christopher is being his most negative and big-brotherish, the party balloons escaping right out of the illustration borders seem so festive that readers can never take his disapproval seriously. There's always demand for books about learning to appreciate siblings, and this bit of light absurdity will strike the right note with children who are embarrassed by small and importunate brothers and sisters who don't know how to behave.
Marian Drabkin, Richmond Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399233237
• ISBN-13: 978-0399233234
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,409,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Siblings, October 11, 2000

By 

Michael S Roberts - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's My Birthday, Too! (Hardcover)

Lynne Jones and Petra Mathers have portrayed a wonderful strategy, in this story, where the older child learns how to enjoy his special day and have his brother share in the activities. It is a very cute story. This would be an excellent book to share with an older child who is feeling that their younger sibling is being a pain, or with both siblings to show them how they can get along. I would highly recommend this story as a way to promote role play and family bonding.