Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"On the morning of your birthday, you can tell already that the day is not like others," intones second-person narration by Ray (The House of Grass and Sky). On what other days does one wear a crown at breakfast, or behold a stack of presents, or be officially sanctioned to "try out how it's different being one year older"? Using radiant, translucent pastels, pencil, watercolor, and gouache to show celebrations in different seasons, Derby (Two Many Birds) centers three children throughout this book's spreads: a brown-skinned three-year-old with two pigtail puffs; a white, red-haired five-year-old with round glasses; and a long-haired seven-year-old with brown skin and a beloved stuffed alligator. The younger children's vignettes mostly unfold in pared-down but cozy domestic settings, while an older child flexes their independence in a snowy adventure rendered in impressionistic swirls of white-flecked blues and pinks (a surprise party awaits back home). Though the pacing begins to lag midway through, this is a fitting, visually luxuriant tribute to one of the greatest days on the kid calendar. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--The title is a statement, implying that there is a "right" way to have a birthday. Just before the title page is a small green box, ready to be unwrapped. Will this present hold the answer? Three families of various skin tones mark their birthdays in different ways. There are scenes of children waking up at dawn, playing with family members, and opening presents. There are less literal scenes near the middle of the book, in which text and art are not in concord: words about embarrassing birthday pictures, but the scene is a field of flowers. In some, flowers are silhouettes of happy and sad memories. The poetic license is less engaging than scenes with a clearer focus, like a child being measured each year or building a snowman. By the end of the book, text and art are again in harmony. All the children blow out their birthday candles and make a wish. Ray's lyrical text showcases everyone's choices, no matter how they celebrate. Derby's watercolor and pastel illustrations are gentle and warm, showing stars streaking across a beautiful indigo sky. VERDICT For the holiday shelves, and a lovely addition to larger collections.--Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Are there key ingredients that are part of any (American) child's birthday? Ray intimates that there are. Her narrative employs the second person, a choice that instantly draws the listener in: "…your birthday is to celebrate that you are here. It's to tell you that you matter." Derby's compositions follow three characters throughout their special days. Two have brown skin--one with long, straight hair and the other with two Afro puffs. The third child is White with flaming red hair and glasses. Each carries a stuffed animal. The telling is sensitive to class and income differences, often using the conditional may or might, and while presents and singing are mentioned, intangibles and independent actions are mentioned as well: your first present is "…you get to wonder" (what will occur on this day), and you can always sing to yourself. Traditions and cake are often involved, but it's also terrific that birthdays are portable; they go with you all day, whatever you do. Dynamic single- or double-page scenes depict snowy, windswept play; dabs of vibrant color suggest a field of flowers that, upon closer inspection, reveal bodies and faces, illustrating the idea that pictures will help you remember the occasion. The title concludes with three horizontal, parallel views, one for each child as they make wishes. A delightful conversation starter on a topic of perennial interest to young children. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
