Whether your child loves parties or is overwhelmed by it all, here are children’s books about birthday parties to prepare for the day.
Whether your child can’t wait to go to a party or must be coerced to go (“There will be cake!”), these children’s books about birthday parties just might let him know that parties are fun.
Because here’s a shocker: Not every kid likes birthday parties.
Some might be downright opposed to this whole birthday party business. Maybe your child likes attending birthday parties but dreads having one thrown for himself. The idea of being the center of attention overwhelms him enough to declare he doesn’t want a party.
Or maybe he refuses to go to birthday parties or doesn’t want to participate in party activities—face painting! cake blowing! Instead, he 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 kids do enjoy a good party.
But if you think about emotions—shyness, confusion, challenging social situations—then you might better understand why your child really would rather not invite his whole class to a party. Why he might prefer a smaller outing with his family, or why he feels overwhelmed with everyone singing happy birthday.
Children’s books about birthday parties
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 has never had a party and therefore plots the perfect plan before realizing things don’t always go that way. And Lyle, who instead of enjoying a party, grows jealous of the birthday celebrant.
The point isn’t to convince or force him one way or another. You’d want to pick your battles, after all. Instead, reading children’s books about birthday parties can prepare him for what to expect, temper 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
The Night Before My Birthday by Natasha Wing
Llama Llama Birthday Party! by Anna Dewdney
If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon by Joyce Lapin
How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday? by Jane Yolen
Curious George and the Birthday Surprise by Margret and H.A. Rey
Happy Birthday, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
Clifford’s Birthday Party by Norman Bridwell
Spot’s Birthday Party by Eric Hill
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
Eloise Throws a Party! by Kay Thompson
If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff
Read these next:
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- Raising Children on a Tight Budget
- 4 Reasons Kids Need Downtime
- What to Do when Your Child Is Scared of Restrooms
- Why Too Many Toys Can Be Bad for Kids
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