Happy Birthday, Babymouse

Babymouse #18

by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm

Meet Babymouse--the spunky mouse beloved by young readers for more than a decade! You’re all invited to Babymouse’s big birthday event—and we mean BIG! Will she have the most epic birthday ever? This groundbreaking young graphic novel series, full of humor and fun, is a bestseller that’s sold more than three million copies!
 
"Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!"— The Chicago Sun-Times

You are cordially invited to the birthday event of the year! Babymouse is having a birthday and she wants it to be BIG! Mount Everest BIG. Eiffel Tower BIG. Tyrannosaurus rex BIG. (Okay, maybe inviting a T. rex isn't such a good idea). Will all of Babymouse's birthday dreams come true? Will she have a five-hundred-tier cupcake? Find out in Happy Birthday, Babymouse —the eighteenth hilarious, action-packed installment of the beloved Babymouse graphic novel series by Matthew Holm and Jennifer L. Holm!

DON'T MISS The BIG Adventures of Once Upon a Messy Whisker , the newest, brightest, and BIGGER THAN EVER graphic novel from BABYMOUSE!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Comics, Animals, Middle Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Jennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with more than 9.8 million books in print She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.

Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!

For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Babymouse. She simply wants to have a party people have fun at. Somehow, her nemesis is having a birthday on the same day as her and she can afford the best. Most of her friends end of going to another party and Babymouse's party is very sad indeed. The ending does turn it around.

One of the things I find most humorous is that her locker does come to her Birthday. It's simply a single locker. I wouldn't have thought of that.

I did try and get my niece into Babymouse, but she doesn't like Babymouse and won't read it. Oh well. I'm into it.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely cute look at a young girl's worst birthday nightmares. Somehow Babymouse's birthday parties never go right, whether they end up with escaped zoo animals or a melted ice rink. This time, she tries very hard to plan one that will work just right, only to find that her arch-rival will be throwing a party the same day, and had invited everyone first. She survives a horrific day, but comes out of it with her sense of humor intact and some good new stories to tell, as well as a happy ending.
My only concern with this is that it seems like a couple of the people she dealt with got away with cheating her on the birthday preparations. Also, I'm not fond of the gnomes, running gag or no. They're just not funny.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babymouse has had a history of bad birthdays, but she's determined to break the spell this year. Things turn out as usual when Babymouse finds out that her arch-nemesis Felicia is hosting her birthday celebration on the same day.

Funny and full of Babymouse's epic daydreaming this is a great read for grades 3-5. I really liked the cameos by Squish and his crew from Holm's other series.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Birthday, Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm - Isn’t it wonderfully amazing that this is the 18th Babymouse book?! I love it… of course things don’t go so well for sweet Babymouse when she wants to plan the perfect birthday party… love how stories unfold in Babymouse’s world with reality taking center stage, parents not rescuing her, and things not going as well as she imagined.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babymouse is back with her 18 graphic novel. This time her birthday plans are upended by another classmates conflicting party capturing the essence of having to play second fiddle, trying a bit too hard to win friends and finding the true meaning of friendship in the end.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh no - poor Babymouse! She plans her ultimate birthday party on the same day as Felicia's. What are the chances?? All her previous birthdays were disasters, and all she wanted was to finally have a great one. Kids will love this latest installment of Babymouse's humor, antics, and resilience.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babymouse has become an honorary member of my classroom over the years. Reliably awesome. In this installment, she celebrates her birthday. Cupcakes, anyone?

[Astrid Vidal]

I loved this book. I liked how she interacts with the narrator and has a lot of funny parts and lots of sad parts. I liked how she acts all sassy when they say something bad about her.

[Ryan M. Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Babymouse rules and it is one of the few books that continually makes me laugh out loud several times.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter says a 5, I say a 1, so averaged at 3.

[Ashley Polansky]

Title: Happy Birthday Babymouse
Author: Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Illustrator: Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Genre: Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)
Theme(s): Friendship, embarrassment, bullying, imagination
Opening line/sentence: It’s being called the event of the year.
Brief Book Summary: This graphic novel is about Babymouse and her birthday party. Felicia, someone in her grade, is also having a birthday party on the same day as Babymouse. Babymouse’s parties have always been a fail and she wants this one to be extra special. However, when everyone shows up to Felicia’s cool party instead, Babymouse is left with embarrassment. Her friends make it up to her in school the next day when they throw a birthday party for her.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: From School Library Journal Babymouse's birthday party is going to be fabulous. Except for one problem: everyone already RSVP'd for Felicia's birthday party, which is happening on the same day. Typical. Will Babymouse's birthday be a complete mess? Or will she have the best party ever? A must-have for fans of the intrepid mouse.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Booklist:
"Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans."
Response to Two Professional Reviews: As seen in both recommendations, this is a great book to draw in readers. Not only is it a graphic novel, but there is humor and conflict within it as well. The reader needs to finish the book to see what will happen in the end. As said by the second recommendation, it is a great book to draw in reluctant readers.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: There are many literary elements used throughout this book. Conflict is seen when Babymouse and Felicia have their birthday party on the same day. Characterization is used in the worms on the bottom of each page, as they wonder why they weren’t invited to the party. Indirect characterization is done through Babymouse’s dialogue with others and herself. This book is written in chronological order so the reader can understand the order of events of which everything has happened.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Babymouse could be used in the classroom in many ways. I thought it would be good to have a conversation about bullying, and how to approach certain situations. In addition, I would have the children create their own “graphic novel” and tell a story using word bubbles and pictures. In order to incorporate the book the children will have a list of themes they can choose from: birthday party, bullying, friendship, etc. We would be able to share these with the class afterwards and say how it related to Happy Birthday Babymouse.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Babymouse's birthday! She is going to have the biggest, bestest birthday party ever! Except her birthday party is on the same day as Felicia's...and Felicia has booked all the biggest and bestest everything for her party. Will Babymouse have a happy birthday or a miserable one?

Oh man, poor Babymouse. This is a rough one for her. But it ends up well. Her friends have to make some tough decisions about honoring their word, but in the end they show her how much she means to them. Could prompt some good discussions about the importance of planning ahead, what really matters, and etiquette/honor issues.

[Julee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Babymouse's birthday and time to celebrate! Babymouse goes head to head with Felicia who is also preparing for her birthday party which will be ON THE SAME DAY AS BABYMOUSE's PARTY! Oh no! The invitations have been sent and Babymouse is ready to Par-tay but where are her friends? Apparently it's a good idea to send your invites out really far in advance to ensure maximum attendance. The party is a bust but Babymouse discovers she is one lucky girl to have some pretty great friends.

Love it!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the Babymouse collection, but still a fun read about the self-centered little mouse that readers can't help but cheer for. In this edition, Babymouse has the misfortune of planning a humble birthday party on the same day as her nemesis, Felicia Furrypaws, is throwing herself a massive birthday bash. Can Babymouse salvage her special day or is it doomed to go down in history as another epic birthday fail?

[Halle Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another adorable book in the Babymouse series. It starts with Babymouse wanting to have a birthday party but it's the same day Felicia's. Fast forward, everyone goes tot Felicia's house for her birthday party and Babymouse is stuck with her family and a one other friend who leaves to go the other party. Babymouse has a horrible time but her friends make it up by having a party for her at school.
Very cute book, I can't wait until the next book comes out :)

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Babymouse. Everything goes wrong for her birthday every year and this is year is no exception. I kinda wish someone had given her a pep talk in this one - like, "Slow down, Babymouse, before you hire a unicorn and ice sculpture for your party." But then I guess that wouldn't be Babymouse, now would it?!?

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like so many kids, Babymouse dreams and plans and dreams some more about her birthday party. It’s going to be the absolute best party ever! But then she discovers that her party is going to be on the same day as nemesis Felicia Furrypaws’ party! Babymouse’s trials and tribulations resonate with kids, and her friends end up surprising her in a delightful way.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever have one of those birthdays where no one comes to your party? Babymouse has, and it's all because of Felicia! Babymouse tries to compete with Felicia's party, by finding things for her party that are better than Felicia's, but it doesn't help. In the end, Babymouse learns some things about friendship.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babymouse's dilemma in this installment: Felicia Furrypaws is throwing her birthday party the same day as Babymouse. You can imagine which of the two is going to get the whole class to come to HER party.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the latest installment in the Babymouse series, but i couldn't help feeling a little bad for Babymouse. Why does Felicia have to be so mean? I am hoping that she will grow up one day. Would love to hear what you think, reader.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the Babymouse books, but this one is my favorite! It has all kinds of storybook scenes in it too, so I especially like that! As I have said a bunch of times on these reviews, read it!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically I find the Felicia Furrypaws centered books tiresome at best. Bully driven plots get repetitive really fast. This one's a skip unless you've recently had bad luck planning a birthday party.

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[Melissa Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor babymouse! She is so cute! Poor thing has Eeyore moments but usually ends up happy. Cute story once again. My daughter, who has difficulty reading and had given up, found a new love for it in graphic novels. Babymouse is her favorite. Thanks for the great stories!!

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it’s stupid but it really bothered me that Holm shows kids riding an elephant at a birthday party. Not okay.

Even without that, this wasn’t one of the stronger Babymouse books of the series.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Babymouse learns you can't always get what you want, but you just might find you get what you need with a little help from your friends. Rock on, Babymouse!

[Beezoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This happens at my parties all the time! Well, the disasters at least! Al least my friends still show up!!! :)

[Oliver James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to siblings.

[Rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for second graders.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, as always.

[Emily]

Graphic Novel

Genre: This is a fiction, fantasy graphic novel. I know this because there are talking animals.
Audience: This book is intended for primary readers.
Connections:
Text to Self: I read these books in elementary school, so I was excited to get my hands on them again. These books were a great change from the standard chapter books I read as a child, and I loved the engaging plots in each book.
Text to Text: In this book there are characters incorporated from the book series Squish. The characters are invited to Babymouse's party. It was cool to see two separate graphic novels partner together for a book.
Text to World: The internet is full of fail videos, and this whole book was centered on the failures that have come from Babymouse's birthday parties. I am sure that if this was a true story, there would be Youtube videos from her parties with millions of views.