Today it is my pleasure to review a side-splitting, hilarious new picture book Happy Millionth Birthday, written by R.W.R. McDonald, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo and published by Larrikin House. This post is part of a Books on Tour promotion.
About author R.W.R. McDonald
R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning Kiwi author living in Melbourne, Australia with his two daughters and one HarryCat. Author of the award-winning Nancys series, The Nancys and Nancy Business, Rob is also a creative writing tutor and host of QWS Podcast. Rob now writes picture books by day and whodunit mysteries by night – except all of his characters seem to be completely out of control and pay no attention to him, or any rules.
Find Rob at his website: R.W.R McDonald – Author of ‘The Nancys’ – Adult Crime Fiction (rwrmcdonald.com)
About illustrator Alexandra Colombo
Alexandra’s passion is writing and illustrating poems, fairy tales and narrative picture book stories.
Alexandra was born in Sophia, Bulgaria, and attended secondary school in Italy, specialising in scientific studies. She then studied at the Milan European Institute of Design where she received a degree in illustration.
Alexandra’s charming artwork capture the magic, idiosyncrasies and unique personalities of children and animals in memorable colourful settings.
About Happy Millionth Birthday
The Blurb
Jack Wolf wants what EVERY child wants!
More birthdays and even MORE presents!
Find out what happens when Jack’s wish comes true, and he celebrates a birthday every single day!
Jack Wolf and his wacky friends will surprise you until the final page!
Will Jack Wolf learn his lesson, or will he think of a new way to have fun?
What I like about Happy Millionth Birthday
Who doesn’t love birthdays? Being the centre of attention; getting loads of presents; and let’s not forget cake! And then there are the birthday wishes as you blow out your candles. What’s to not like?
Like anyone, Jack Wolf loved his birthday. He wished his fifth birthday would never end. In fact, when he closed his eyes and made a wish, he wished that it could be his birthday every day.
And guess what? His wish came true. Every day after, it was Jack’s birthday again. He loved it. Except every day he got older, and his friends didn’t. While Jack still enjoyed his birthdays, they’d lost of little of their lustre for his friends.
When Jack’s 100th birthday coincided with Christmas Eve, he made one last birthday wish.
I’m not going to spoil the surprise by telling you what he wished for. You’ll have to read the book to find out.
However, I will say, that just like birthdays, children will love this book. They will ask for it to be read again and again. They will delight in the bright, comical illustrations as much as they appreciate the hilarity of the story. It’s a genuine laugh-out-loud and a great reminder of the idiom to be careful what you wish for.
This book would be perfect to read in class on children’s birthdays or to be gifted to children on their birthdays. It’s definitely not just another ordinary birthday book.
Discussion starters
I also love that the book provides opportunities for many spirited discussions with the children; for example:
What do you think of Jack Wolf’s wishes?
Have you ever wished for something that came true?
Have you ever wished for something, and it didn’t come true?
Do you think wishes can come true?
Why do some wishes come true and others don’t?
Do you think it’s true that you must ‘Always make wishes in your head, otherwise they don’t come true’?
Does anyone have a wish they’d like to share?
And, of course, throughout the book, there are many other things in the story and illustrations that children will be bursting to comment on and share.
I am happy to recommend this book for classroom and home libraries. It is one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. I’m sure children will agree with my 5 star rating.
I received a copy of the book from the author in return for an honest review.
Purchase a copy
Purchase your own copy of Happy Millionth Birthday from Larrikin House, your favourite book shop, or online bookstore.
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