Shh! It’s Monkey’s birthday—but that’s a secret. Can Elephant keep the big news under his party hat for one whole day? Monkey and Elephant are very good friends—such good friends that Monkey lets Elephant in on a secret. The secret is that it is Monkey’s birthday, and Monkey does not like birthdays. But Elephant also has a secret: he has trouble keeping secrets. And keeping such a happy secret is especially hard. When Elephant learns that Clever Rat has made some party hats and is inviting friends over to see them, Elephant wants to turn their gathering into a party for Monkey. But how will he do it without giving away Monkey’s secret?

In three episodes two friends cool off on a hot day, sing songs, and outsmart some riffraff wildcats.

When best friends Monkey and Elephant both catch a cold, each tries his own method to make the other feel better.

Gerald tells of the very unusual animals he would add to the zoo, if he were in charge.

When Little Monkey decides to venture out into the jungle alone, beyond the gaze of his watchful Mama, he discovers that other animals are not as friendly and warm as his own family and that independence is not altogether a good thing.

Darwin thinks his mother and sister have forgotten his birthday when they leave him alone at home. But then his friend Gabby comes over and takes him to the tree house where they and all his friends are waiting to surprise him.

"Based on "By Invitation only" from the animated television series Ella the Elephant. Written by Scott Albert"--Title page.