Children’s Books About Birthday Parties
Whether your child loves parties or is overwhelmed by it all, here are children’s books about birthday parties to prepare for the day.
Not every kid likes birthday parties.
Maybe your child likes attending birthday parties but dreads having one thrown for herself. The idea of being the center of attention and even receiving gifts overwhelms her enough to declare she doesn’t want a party.
Or maybe she refuses to go to birthday parties and doesn’t want to participate in activities with the other party guests—face painting! cake blowing! party hats! Instead, she hides in the back, or worse, bawls loudly during the party.
Who doesn’t like a birthday party? You might ask. Easy enough for us to assume that all kids do, considering that most of them do enjoy a good party.
But if you think about emotions—shyness, confusion, anticipation, and challenging social situations—then you can see why your child would rather not invite her whole class to a party. Why she might prefer a smaller outing with her family, or why fun surprises and decorations can leave her feeling overwhelmed.
Children’s books about birthday parties
Picture books have a way of talking about a subject so your child can voice whatever emotion he may have, from excitement to fear. They’re also a great way to introduce him to typical birthday party lingo and activities, such as singing happy birthday and playing games.
Some favorite characters include Scaredy Squirrel, who prefers the safety of his nut tree and makes excessive plans to avoid other animals at his party. You’ll meet Lyle, who, instead of enjoying a party, gets jealous of the birthday celebrant.
Reading children’s books about birthday parties can prepare him for what to expect, temper his expectations, and most importantly, show him that he can have a good time:
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Boa’s Bad Birthday by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
If a T. Rex Crashes Your Birthday Party by Jill Esbaum
If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon by Joyce Lapin
How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
The Best Birthday Party Ever by Jennifer Larue Huget
Lyle and the Birthday Party by Bernard Waber
Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party by Melanie Watt
Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld
When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano and Christian Robinson
Bigfoot Does Not Like Birthday Parties by Eric Ode
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban
The Backwards Birthday Party by Tom Chapin
The Birthday Queen by Audrey and Don Wood
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan
The Birthday Book by Todd Parr
The Birthday Book by Ann Druitt
Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau by Andrea Beaty
Birthday Monsters! by Sandra Boynton
Moira’s Birthday by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko
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- Raising Children on a Tight Budget
- What to Do when Your Child Is Scared of Restrooms
- Why Too Many Toys Can Be Bad for Kids
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