Happy Birthday, Hamster

Pink cake, blue cake,
chocolate through-and-through cake.

Short cake, tall cake, cannot-eat-it-all cake.

Which would you choose?

Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord and New York Times bestselling illustrator Derek Anderson return with a tale chock-full of fun rhymes and hilarious artwork about Hamster's favorite day: his birthday!  But is it possible that Dog and his friends have forgotten all about it?  Not a chance.  Join them as they plan the best surprise birthday party ever!

Awards and Honors:

2012 Bank Street College Best Book of the Year List

2012 IRA-CBC Children's Choices List

"Loud, exaggerated acrylics burst off the pages, and the plump, cuddly characters look like stuffed animals come to life.  Children will enjoy the opportunity to participate and make choices throughout the book leading up to Hamster's surprise party."  School Library Journal

"Highly Recommended"  Midwest Book Review

"Full page illustrations wash every sheet with bright, party colors matching the mood of the text perfectly.  Rhyming sentences set the tone for easy reading or a lesson on sounds.  Highly recommended for libraries and classrooms, this volume encourages friendship with diverse populations and showing thoughtfulness to others."  Children's Literature

Draw a birthday gift for Hamster!  Click here for an activity sheet by illustrator Derek Anderson.