Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because it is a nice, quiet story.
I Wasn’t Invited to The Birthday
Written by Susanna Isern
Illustrated by Adolfo Serra
40 pages – ages 6+
Published by NubeOcho on Sept. 23 2016
Theme/Topic- Dealing With Disappointment/ Being excluded
Genre- Fiction
Opening and Synopsis- Opening: “The children leaving school are all very excited. There is a birthday party, but Mark isn’t invited.”
Synopsis from Publisher: “The children leaving the school are all very excited.
There is a birthday party, but someone is not invited . . .
What will happen when the enormous whale with the tiny hat appears?”
What I Thought- This is a quiet, elegant book about how you won’t always be doing the “fun” thing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own fun. The illustrations are laid back, and magical.
I thought it was neat how Mr. Serra started off with mostly black and white or sepia tones, and then it got more and more colorful.
The book is a sweet story that helps kids learn to deal with not being invited. The book is a good read at home and in the classroom!
Activities and Resources- Mom.me has a nice article about how to deal with your child being left out of a party – click HERE.
Here is another great article about kids not getting invited. The article is from the Chicago Tribune. It suggests taking your child out on an adventure that would be even cooler than the party! Click HERE
What’s nice about this publisher is that NubeOcho published many titles in Spanish too!
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
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Categories: Age 6-9, Perfect Picture Book Friday
It”s a hard thing to not be included, especially when some of your friends have been. This looks to be a nice way to address that disappointment.
Good review, Erik.
Thank you! It is a nice, quiet book and I think kids will benefit from it. 🙂
Love the illustrations and message of this book. It’s hard lesson to learn both for the kids and parents. Great review, Erik!
Yes it is, and Ms. Isern handled it well. 🙂
Great minds think alike! I just posted this book over on Instagram! Glad it’s getting the attention it deserves
It’s a great picture book! 😀
This would be a handy book to have around for times when kids face disappointment. Clever idea for a book. Love the illustrations.
I agree! 🙂
Oh, man this is an ouch topic but boy it does happen. Love these illustrations and a book that helps kids through this.
I like how Ms. Isern writes the book, in a way that doesn’t get angry at the people going to/hosting the party. 🙂
Thanks great book to help kids develop coping skills. More books like this are needed in schools to build resilient children who struggle.
Very good point. Schools (and parents) need to read books like this to their kids. Thank you for stopping by my blog, and please come again!