Happy Birthday To You

To each of us who has enjoyed a piece of birthday cake, the strains of "Happy Birthday to You" are as familiar to our ears as our own names. Yet how many people know the origin of the tune and its place in American history? In 1889 Patty and Mildred Hill, two Kentucky sisters, wrote the words and composed the melody of "Good Morning to All" for their kindergarten students. Initially written as a simple greeting and welcome, they later changed the words and birthday celebrations were forever altered. But it wasn't until 1935 that the sisters' song was fully copyrighted and their names duly credited. Margot Theis Raven, the author of such inspiring children's books as Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot and Let Them Play, relates the story behind one of the most famous and oft-sung songs in the world.Margot Theis Raven's award-winning books are often set against powerful historical backdrops such as America's civil rights period. Her books for Sleeping Bear Press include America's White Table and Let Them Play, which was named a 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. Chris Soentpiet's numerous books include My Brother Martin and Peacebound Trains and reflect his interest in people, history, and culture. He has won several prestigious awards such as the International Reading Association Children's Book of the Year. Chris lives in Flushing, New York.

Maine is turning 200 and Paul Bunyan and his friend Moose want to throw a party as big as they are. With the help of their friends they plan a spectacular bash and invite every Mainer, as well as anyone from away who would like to attend. Culminating in a grand celebration, this book, weaving in elements of Maine facts and history, is itself a bicentennial celebration of Maine that will help the youngest readers come to love this special place.

According to the Guiness Book of Records, "Happy Birthday To You!" is one of the world's most frequently sung songs. Words and music are by two sisters from Louisville, Kentucky: Patty Hill, a pioneer kindergarten teacher and Mildred Hill, a musician. They combined their talents to produce this song, suitable for children's voices as well as all others. Patty drew 3,000 teachers to a workshop she gave at the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. Shortly afterwards she was invited to establish the Department of Nursery School, Kindergarten, and First-Grade Education at Columbia University. She was the first woman to receive and honorary doctorate from Columbia.

children's sing-along tale in padded board book

That meanie Lewis always teases Gilbert. So why would Lewis invite Gilbert to his birthday party? Gilbert goes to the party armed with a cheerful grin, a brightly wrapped package–and a plan to get even for Lewis's rotten behavior. But this birthday has a much bigger surprise in store for Gilbert... Join the New York Times best–selling character Gilbert the opposum and his friends and family in this heartwarming picture book about birthdays, bullies, and doing the right thing. Ages: 4–8

The perfect gift for any child who is celebrating a birthday! Thirty festive illustrations include all kinds of adorable animals that are ready to party and fun to color.

From the creator of Peanut Butter & Cupcake comes a birthday book starring everyone's favorite dessert! What's a cupcake to do when she needs to plan her birthday party? In this hilarious, kid-friendly homage to food and birthdays, Cupcake runs through tons of ideas while her best friend, Blueberry Muffin, finds reasons why they won't work: Soup gets seasick; Donut melts in the sun; someome might get squashed during musical chairs; and Cupcake is not very good at limbo (her icing might get sliced off!). Just as Cupcake is ready to crumble, Blueberry Muffin has one last idea that just might save the day. With laugh-out-loud visual gags (like a band made up of beans--the musical fruit, of course), this book is sure to put a birthday smile on any kid's face (and on adult faces as well). Praise for Happy Birthday, Cupcake!: "As in his earlier picture book, Border's characters are skillfully crafted food items with basic wire limbs arranged in simple landscapes....Preschoolers will be delighted with the visual mayhem."--Kirkus Reviews Praise for Peanut Butter & Cupcake: "Border’s witty food comedy will lure children who are hungry for clever visual entertainment."--Publishers Weekly "[Z]any creative photographs. [A] read-aloud hit."--School Library Journal