Happy birthday, royal baby! by Martha Mumford

Ill. by Ada Grey. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408854822
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Picture book. Humour. Babies. Royalty.
After the successful Shhh, don't wake the royal baby and its laugh out loud story of a new born child in royal circles, this book follows the child as he has his first birthday.
With people gearing up for Prince George's first birthday in July, it seems appropriate to have a book which celebrates that event but also all other birthdays of those about his age.
With the Queen parachuting from the sky holding onto a load of balloons on the front cover, children will be in little doubt about the fun to be had inside. Every page is covered with little things to delight the eye and the words match the young prince finding nothing of interest in his vast array of presents. That is until the Queen parachutes in bringing him a present that she knows he will love. Wonderful illustrations of the Queen and the family will tickle the funny bones of all readers, young and old, and the array of presents will engender much laughter, while the picture of all the guests sitting down to the birthday party is just fun.
A wonderful read aloud, a book to discuss babies and their birthdays, or anyone's birthday, and even a talk about the monarchy, this book is a treat.
Fran Knight