Birthday Books for Kids

There is a very special day each year that almost every child looks forward to- their BIRTHDAY!  Celebrate the big day with this fun list of birthday books for kids.

Birthday Books for Kids

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Birthday Books for the Toddler Crowd

Happy Birthday Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton

We gave this book to my oldest son when he turned two because he loved Sandra Boynton books.  He insisted that my husband make him a piggy pancake every Saturday just like Pookie’s dad in the story!

Also check out Birthday Monsters by Boynton.

Where Is Baby’s Birthday Cake by Karen Katz

I love the illustrations in Katz’s books.  They are so bright and vivid.  My little ones love lifting the flaps!  The baby in the books opens up all sorts of birthday items before finding the birthday cake.

Carl’s Birthday by Alexandra Day

This is a mostly wordless book.  Carl and Madeline take a sneak peek at the birthday party.

Birthday Books for The Picture Book Crowd

Land Shark by Beth Ferry

This book is so much fun and is a top pick with my kids.  A little boy has one wish for his birthday.  He wants a pet shark. And, he is initially annoyed with the pet that his parents get him instead.  The kids will also love his next birthday wish at the end of the book.

It’s My Birthday by Helen Oxenbury

Animal friends gather the ingredients for a birthday cake.  Since everyone helped to make the cake, everyone gets to enjoy it too!

A Birthday Basket for Tia by Pat Mora

This sweet story about truly thinking about the gift receipent is a beautiful story to read on a birthday or anytime of the year.

When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano

There is a lot of anticipation that surrounds a birthday.  “How many more days to my birthday?”  How many times have you heard that question?

A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas

I adore Jan Thomas’ books.  They are awesome read-alouds including A Birthday for Cow. Pig and Mouse are planning a party but Duck keeps yelling about turnips.  Turns out that Duck is on to something.

Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday by Melanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel is planning a birthday party for himself but it has to be a very safe party.  Things never go according to play for Scaredy Squirrel though and this birthday tale is no different.  My kids love this series.

A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban

This was a favorite series of mine as a child.  It’s a story of siblings learning to be generous and not jealous.

Happy Birthday Hamster by Cynthia Lord

This is a fun lyrical look at hamster’s birthday.  Hamster wonders if everyone has forgotten his birthday, but soon learns that is not the case!

Albert’s Birthday by Leslie Tryon

Patsy Pig is planning a surprise birthday for Albert.  She is quite the planner.  It’s a fun book especially if you enjoy the other Albert books.

The Mystery of the Missing Cake by Claudia Boldt

A cake is missing at a costume birthday party.  Who took it?

Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry

Do you know the ten rules for making a birthday wish?  I’ll tell you that number three is that, “you must have cake or cannoli or cream puffs or churros.”

Some Birthday! by Patrica Polacco

One of my all-time favorite authors, Patrica Polacco, takes us on an adventure as she tells about one of her memorable birthdays as a young girl.

Who Made This Cake? by Chihiro Nakagawa

We checked this book out countless times from the library.  The kids will love to pour over the illustrations as HUGE birthday cake is assembled with heavy-duty equipment.

A Little House Birthday by Laura Ingalls Wilder

How were birthdays celebrated in the pioneer days?  Take a peek inside with Little House on the Prairie.  This series is soooo good.

How to Have a Birthday by Mary Lyn Ray is a peaceful hug that encourages us to embrace the feelings and memories associated with the special day.

Birthday Books for the Chapter Book Crowd

Cam Jansen:  The Birthday Mystery #20 by David Adler

If you have a reader who enjoys mysteries and has just ventured into chapter books, Cam Jansen will fit the bill.  The covers of the books in the series have recently had makeovers.  Hmmm…a makeover for my birthday sounds good!

Grab Your Printable Book List of Birthday Books

Grab the printable booklist of these great books.  Just click the “click here to get your printable” button below.

Create a Birthday Book Basket

Extend the birthday fun with a birthday book basket.  It’s a great classroom birthday idea to celebrate birthdays all school year.—>Learn How to Make a Birthday Book Basket

And, if you need a birthday gift idea, books make the best gift.  They are even when they arrive in the mail.  Check out our favorite Book Subscription Boxes.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you.  We’ll celebrate books and reading. Happy birthday to you.”

*This post first appeared on Growing Book by Book on 4/1/13 and has since been updated.