The Very Best Birthday Books!

Do you know a reader who has a birthday coming up? Check out this list featuring the very best kids books about birthdays that I’ve read. They are also fun to check out from your local library if possible and share in the month or weeks or days leading up to the big day! I like to put out the birthday books we own, plus some from our library in a book basket for easy reading access leading up to birthday day!

These books would make excellent birthday gifts…or check out my unique kids books that make a amazing gifts list to find more great ideas for book gifts! You can also check out my gift giving guides for board books, fiction picture books, nonfiction picture books, and chapter books.

This list includes books that are interactive, conversation starters, and just plain fun to read aloud. And because birthdays are usually synamous with cake, I’ve included a few in this list that are cake themed that could easily tie into a birthday celebration book.

Happy reading and celebrating!

*As always, books grow more complex and lengthy as the list goes on. So if you are looking for a shorter and simpler read, choose books towards the top of the list, or if you're looking for a more complex read to share, scroll towards the bottom of the list.


Board Books


The Birthday Box

by Leslie Patricelli           

For all the adults who love to say the best present kids get is a box and for the kids who believe it to be true, here is the book for you. When my littlest was between 8 months and 2 ½ years old, this series was his favorite! (Warning: the present is a puppy in this one; be prepared when sharing with kids longing for a pet for a birthday present!)

A Birthday for Cow

by Jan Thomas

Jan Thomas makes such fun and silly books for young readers! (Early reader kids, look into books by her!) Cow is having a birthday, and Pig and Mouse are preparing a surprise cake. Duck insists on adding a turnip to each step of the cake process, which Pig and Mouse refuse. What will Cow say when presented with the surprise?


Birthday Monsters!

by Sandra Boynton

Boynton's books are always a hit with readers with their silly and unexpected rhymes and stories. When the Birthday Monsters visit on your birthday, they eat your cake, make a mess, and more, leaving readers guessing what will happen next. Don't worry; the Birthday Monsters will make up for their mishaps by the end of the story.

So this one isn't necessarily about birthdays, but it does feature a commonplace birthday food: cupcakes! Readers get to help add ingredients, whisk, cool down, frost, and more in this interactive book. A fun read for fans of interactive stories!

Bake a Rainbow Cake!

by Amirah Kassem

How do you bake a rainbow cake? Simple two-word directions are given on each page to show readers what steps to take to make it. Readers can pour, mix, color, cut, fill, frost, sprinkle, and enjoy the finished cake surprise. The interactive elements feature pull pages, lift-the-flaps, and wheel spin. With its colorful and playful illustrations, interactive elements, and popular subject matter, this book will surely delight readers all year, especially come birthday time!

If you have a lift-the-flap fan, you need to check out this cute board book with over 35 flaps to open and discover what each friend brings Mr. Bear to celebrate! It’s Mr. Bear’s birthday and everyone is invited, including you! With joyful illustrations and presents to unwrap, this upbeat birthday book is not to be missed. 


Picture Books


Birthday Bugs

by David A. Carter

This is my readers' favorite birthday book! It is the most interactive birthday book I've found! Each page layout has a new fantastically decorated present that reveals a pop-up creation, like "Balloon Bugs," or an interactive element, like the "Party Hat Bug." My kids adore "opening" all the presents! The last page is a "Birthday Bug Cake" that pops up with a short song to read and candles you can put on the cake. If you're wondering, there are enough spots for up to 10 candles to put on the cake! (10 years to celebrate with your child) If you are looking for the perfect birthday book to enjoy for years to come, this is it! 

The Mixed-Up Truck

by Stephen Savage

Construction fans will love this one! It's not specifically about a birthday, but a cement mixer gets mixed up when picking ingredients and accidentally builds a cake instead of a building. It's a super fun read that little truck lovers will adore!

Sometimes Cake

by Edwina Wyatt, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

So not specifically celebrating a birthday in this one, but the celebration of every day with Audrey and her friend, Lion. The two love celebrating together with decorations, cheers, balloons, and more. This is the sweetest book for the little reader who enjoys celebrating!

The Little Tiger

by Nicola Killen

I adore this series, and when I saw that this new birthday version was being released, I knew I had to check it out! Cutouts, shiny foil detailing, and magical elements intertwine to make for a fascinating read-aloud about a child following a group of balloons into a forest to discover the best birthday party waiting for her.


How to Have a Birthday

by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Cindy Derby

Today's joyous read follows three children as they enjoy their birthday days. There are presents, like the first present we all receive: the gift to wonder what the day will bring. The day may bring special plans, a crown to wear, singing, and maybe even a tradition. A birthday is the first day to try out being a new year older. Birthdays celebrate that you are here and that you matter. I love how this focuses mainly on the happy feelings and simple and free gifts you receive on birthdays—a cheerful and beautifully illustrated story, perfect for sharing for that special day.

When's My Birthday?

by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson

This book brings up all the questions and then some, along with some hopes and wishes for the big day. A variety of kids all participate in the story, asking questions, making wishes, and sharing ideas and hopes for their big days. This would also make a fun read-aloud for early childhood teachers to pair with a birthday writing activity and calendar lesson. Sweet and fun read for little readers who are all about their birthdays! It's great to read the whole year through or whenever the idea of my birthday arises.

Happy Birthday, Hamster

by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Derek Anderson

You choose book fans will adore this interactive read that asks the reader which different birthday item they would pick if celebrating. This one was a favorite with my kids when they were 3-5 years old. It's Hamster's birthday, but his best friend, Dog, doesn't seem to notice! (Readers are in on the surprise that Dog is secretly planning a party and getting Hamster's input on what he would love most for it!) Go with them on their errand day as they pick which cake, toy, party supplies, and even haircut—a fun conversation starter for getting ideas about what kids would enjoy on their birthday.

When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox

by Jamie L. B. Deenihan, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha

A little boy wants nothing more than a dollhouse for his birthday. He's disappointed when Grandpa gives him a toolbox instead. The boy leaves the toolbox in the backyard to forget about it. When stumbling across a fallen bird's nest, he remembers that Grandpa built a birdhouse and could help him make one with his toolbox tools. After the birdhouse project, they work together on several more neighborhood projects, eventually making an even better dollhouse then the one in stores. Happily, the duo building projects continue with a surprise neighborhood project. It is such a fun read about working through disappointment, hard work, and enjoying time spent with grandparents.

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

by Jamie L. B. Deenihan, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha

Who expects a lemon tree from their grandma on their birthday? Certainly, it is not what the child in this story was expecting. But regardless, she thanks her grandma for the gift and proceeds to take care of it. And when the lemons ripen, which leads to lemonade selling and money earning, will the child change her mind about the gift of a lemon tree? It's a good read for talking about gratitude from receiving gifts.

Your Birthday Was the Best

by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Felicita Sala

This hilarious read must find its way to just the right readers. Told from a party crashing cockroach's point of view, your birthday party was the best! As you can imagine, a cockroach crashing a birthday party would probably not be well received, and you would be right, as it is in this tale.

Carmela Full of Wishes

by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson

On her birthday, Carmela is most excited to finally go with her big brother to run the family errands. Outside the Laundromat, Carmela finds a lone dandelion, which her brother informs her before she blows it that you're supposed to make a wish first. What will she wish for?

Hazel is excited about her younger sister's first birthday party. She can't wait to see what Twig will pick at her doljabi, a Korean first birthday fortune-telling ceremony that is said to predict the baby's future. They prepare for and then celebrate Twig's birthday. When the doljabi time arrives, an unexpected happening leaves everyone curious about Twig's future. My daughter loved the tiny mouse family, the birthday celebrating, the big and little sister moments, and learning about a different culture's perspective on celebrating first birthdays. The back of the book gives definitions to some Korean words shared in the story and more of an insight into Korean first birthday celebrations.

Marsha is Magnetic

by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez

Marsha has a Big Birthday Party Problem; who will she hand out her birthday party invitations to? These are tricky questions for Marsha, whose birthday is fast approaching. So, Marsha gets busy thinking and using the scientific method to formulate ideas. Will her magnetic solution pay off with friends coming to her birthday party? For kids who might have difficulty fitting in or who love over-the-top dramatics, make sure to check this one out!

Beaver is a perfectionist, liking everything to be done thoughtfully and carefully. This includes his latest project, making the perfect cake for his birthday. His friends are impressed at Beaver's cake plans and are excited to make it together! Beaver hovers and criticizes their help. After the cake turns out not according to plan and his friends are excited about the completed cake, they shout "Happy Birthday!" Beaver, frustrated, yells hurtful words at his friends. Then, he leaves to make the perfect birthday cake for himself alone. How much fun will a birthday celebration be without friends? I'll let you read the story to find out what happens with Beaver and his friends on Beaver's birthday. I love the conversations that can take place with this one, especially talks about perfectionism, kindness, and friendship.

Agent Lion and the Case of the Missing Party

by David Soman, illustrated by Jacky Davis

When Petunia's birthday party goes missing, she hires Agent Lion to help her find it. Lots of silliness in this tale; kids who are into detective work, ridiculousness, and birthday fun will be delighted with this read.

Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt

by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Dakota Crumb, a tiny treasure hunter, is off searching for a rare book in Paris after receiving a special letter from her cousin Julien. Readers get to follow the mouse through Paris to help decipher clues using text and pictures and find where to head next. Will Dakota be able to find the rare book? Treasure hunters, mystery fans, and search-and-find book fans will delight in this sweet read! I love how, at the end of the book, treasure-hunting fans are invited to revisit the pages to find more from Dakota's search and find the list from her new book!

It's Penelope Strudel's birthday, and her Uncle Custard has invited her to Custard Manor for a birthday treasure hunt! For each room visit, Penelope must find everything on the checklist, including the 11 pooping puffins that are making messes everywhere, Crumble the Dog, Lawrence the Cat, and a key in every room. Each room also has a random animal holding a top-secret letter. The top secret letter contains a clue for where to head next. The clues are little puzzles like mazes, number problems, word riddles, codes, and more. Can you solve all the clues and help Penelope find the surprise? Such an exciting and fun read sure to keep kids entertained!

by Jane Carera

And one last bonus read! When the partying is over, be sure to check out this helpful read about sending out thank you letters for coming to the birthday party!

Holly

I’m an early childhood educator and currently a stay-at-home mama to my own three little readers. Discovering and sharing excellent kid lit has been a long-time passion of mine. Check out my book lists to help your reader love reading and grow to help make our world an even better place. Thank you for supporting the little readers in your life!

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