Ben likes to play with robots. His little sister, Alice, would like to play with Ben. But when she and her doll try to join Ben's games, Ben says, "No dolls allowed. This is a robot game." That's why Alice asks for a robot for her birthday. Not just any robot. The exact robot Ben has been wanting forever! Ben is very, very jealous. He wants that robot. Now. Maybe he could sneak it out of its wrapping during Alice's birthday party and play with it for awhile. Nobody will know. Right? But Ben's bad idea goes very wrong and he feels terrible. Now it's up to him to show Alice that a sister is more important than even the best robot toy in the world.

Bad guys are not allowed to have birthdays, pick blueberries, or disturb the baby. So say the four-year-olds who announce life's risks and dangers as they play out the school year in Vivian Paley's classroom. Their play is filled with warnings. They invent chaos in order to show that everything is under control. They portray fear to prove that it can be conquered. No theme is too large or too small for their intense scrutiny. Fantasy play is their ever dependable pathway to knowledge and certainty. " It . . . takes a special teacher to value the young child's communications sufficiently, enter into a meaningful dialogue with the youngster, and thereby stimulate more productivity without overwhelming the child with her own ideas. Vivian Paley is such a teacher."—Maria W. Piers, in the American Journal of Education "[Mrs. Paley's books] should be required reading wherever children are growing. Mrs. Paley does not presume to understand preschool children, or to theorize. Her strength lies equally in knowing that she does not know and in trying to learn. When she cannot help children—because she can neither anticipate nor follow their thinking—she strives not to hinder them. She avoids the arrogance of adult to small child; of teacher to student; or writer to reader."—Penelope Leach, author of Your Baby & Child in the New York Times Book Review "[Paley's] stories and interpretation argue for a new type of early childhood education . . . a form of teaching that builds upon the considerable knowledge children already have and grapple with daily in fantasy play."—Alex Raskin, Los Angeles Times Book Review "Through the 'intuitive language' of fantasy play, Paley believes, children express their deepest concerns. They act out different roles and invent imaginative scenarios to better understand the real world. Fantasy play helps them cope with uncomfortable feelings. . . . In fantasy, any device may be used to draw safe boundaries."—Ruth J. Moss, Psychology Today

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. Join Papa, Mama, and Brother, as they help Sister celebrate her birthday. The special day is not all fun and games when Sister becomes overwhelmed by all of the festivities. This beloved story is a perfect way to teach children about birthdays and what’s most important about them.

Moira’s afraid her parents might get upset if they find out she invited the whole school to her birthday party... so she just doesn’t tell them. The big day arrives, and grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, annnnd kindergarten all come knocking down her door. Before long, the house is a total disaster and Moira’s parents are going crazy trying to figure out how to get enough pizzas and birthday cake to feed everyone. Just leave it to Moira—she’ll figure it all out, and even get the house cleaned up in the process! A newly designed Classic Munsch picture book introduces this charming tale of the world’s most boisterous birthday to a new generation of young readers.

Most kids like birthday parties. Max LOVES birthday parties. Max has been invited to his best friend's birthday party and it's all he can think about. He's convinced himself that it's going to be perfect. Unfortunately for Max, he couldn't be more wrong! Max and the No Good, Rotten, Worst Birthday Party of All Time is a hardback 30 page picture book for ages 2-6. It's a fun story, simply told, and designed to be entertaining for parents to read and children to hear. It teaches children that things don't always turn out the way you plan, but that's okay; and the way we look at a situation can change it from the worst thing ever to one of the greatest.

With child-friendly humour and highly relatable themes in each story, these books are perfect for 5+ readers.

The sixth book in the hilarious Magnificent Mabel series, highly illustrated throughout and with three short stories - perfect for newly-confident readers. Meet Mabel - she's MAGNIFICENT. Sometimes life isn't fair for Mabel Chase. Like for instance she has to invite EVERYONE in her class to her birthday party or she won't get any presents. And her school pack lunches are AWFUL. And when she goes on holiday she doesn't get a MINUTE to relax. But none of that matters in the end ... because Mabel is still MAGNIFICENT. With highly-relatable themes, brilliantly funny writing and wonderful artwork throughout, this is perfect for 5-7 year olds. Look out for: Magnificent Mabel and the Rabbit Riot Magnificent Mabel and the Christmas Elf Magnificent Mabel and the Egg and Spoon Race Magnificent Mabel and the Magic Caterpillar Magnificent Mabel and the Very Important Witch