We're going to a birthday party by Martha Mumford and Cherie Zamazing
A lift the flap book will be read eagerly by all kids who love to see what lies underneath, and when the book is full of rabbits and presents then lifting the flap creates an extra frisson of delight as things are revealed. The four rabbits are going to a birthday party, but first they must find their party hats. They lift flaps on the page to find them, and off they run, run, run. Next they spy some ducks near the pond that they must get over, quack, quack, cheep. After these they see a mouse with a balloon cart and need to find the red balloons under a flap, run, run, run. Over the page they hitch a ride on a cart pulled by two horses, trot, trot, neigh! They arrive at a market where they hunt for some candles and off they run, run, run. With their red balloons candles and hats they almost collide with a small lock of sheep, baa, baa, leap. Passing a bakery means stopping to get a party cake and many different cakes are under the flaps for them to choose. Finally with the red balloons, hats, candles and cake they are ready to attend the party with all those they met along the way included in the feast. A wonderful time is had by all.
Younger readers will love predicting the rhymes and what they might see under the flap. The repetition is enough for younger readers to say the lines along with the reader, enjoying the variety when a different animal is found. They will love reading of the animals, and especially love the feast laid out for the birthday party. All the elements of going to a birthday party are included, adding to the fun, the excitement and expectation.
The fun illustrations add another element to the story and its humour, they are bright, and fill each page with colour and detail. Lifting the flaps is an activity younger readers delight in and this is sure to win fans aplenty. And it is the latest in a series which includes, We're going on a treasure hunt, We’re going on an elf chase and We’re going on an egg hunt.
Themes: Farm life, Rabbits, Birthday party, Lift the flap, Verse.
Fran Knight