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Birthday Boy
A hilarious rollercoaster ride of pure entertainment for 9+ readers everywhere, Birthday Boy is the new Baddiel featuring David’s inimitable and award-winning combination of wish-fulfilment, heart and hilarity, all brought to life by regular collaborator Jim Field’s witty, stylish illustrations.
What if it was every day?
This is the story of Sam Green, who really, really, really loves birthdays. He loves the special breakfasts in bed. The presents. The themed parties. Blowing out the candles on his cake. Everything.
He is so excited about his 11th birthday, in fact, that he wishes it was his birthday every day.
So, at first, it’s quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. And again…
But it’s not long before things start to go wrong. Soon, disaster strikes, threatening something Sam loves even more than birthdays.
Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for…
What if it was every day?
This is the story of Sam Green, who really, really, really loves birthdays. He loves the special breakfasts in bed. The presents. The themed parties. Blowing out the candles on his cake. Everything.
He is so excited about his 11th birthday, in fact, that he wishes it was his birthday every day.
So, at first, it’s quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. And again…
But it’s not long before things start to go wrong. Soon, disaster strikes, threatening something Sam loves even more than birthdays.
Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for…
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2017
125 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
David Baddiel
85 books445 followersDavid Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter. Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. He grew up in grew up in Dollis Hill, Willesden, North London.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
After studying at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Elstree, he read English at King's College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.
Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.
He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.
Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
April 24, 2018
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you... forever! And ever!
Isn't it a wish of all of us when we are kids, to have a birthday that lasts forever? I know I for sure wouldn't have wished for it when I was a kid. :P So I just had to read this book, not only because David Baddiel wrote it and he writes all the awesome stuff, but also because of the birthday. I just wanted to see what would happen, would everlasting birthdays be fun? Would we only see the bright side of it all? Or would we see the consequences and the dark side of it all? I can now tell you that this book will give you an insight in all of it. And not only how it is for the one who did the wish, but also his family, friends, school, everyone. Plus, added to the wishing and birthday mix is also a story about family, grandparents, and dementia.
It is Sam's birthday, and he has a fabulous day filled with friends, food, presents, and more. But he doesn't want it to stop, so while watching through his telescope just before midnight and spotting a shooting star, he makes a wish. Something he never thought come true, but the next day he has another birthday, and the next another one, and so on and on. At first we see Sam thinking it all very awesome and fun and he is making full use of it. He is having fun with all his new toys. But.... you can imagine how it will go.
As I said, the book doesn't just focus on the goods of having a birthday that never stops, it features the bads as well. Like how Ruby feels a bit neglected at times, how Sam's parents struggle to get presents for Sam as money is quickly depleting, how their family is falling farther apart with each birthday, but we also see it is affecting Sam. He went from a fun, sweet, crazy about birthdays, boy to a chubby demanding boy who is quite grumpy if he doesn't get what he wants. Thankfully, and I am really really thankful for it, this Sam is around for only a small bit. Something happens that triggers the return to old Sam. I was already worried that we would have to live with this Sam for a long time, and I am not sure if I would have liked the book so much then.
I love that the second part of the book (yes, it is split up in parts, be sure to check those illustrations) is all about various highlights in year Sam was celebrating his never ending birthday.
The ending or well, starting at the part where Sam gets to building secret stuff, and him and his sister doing the thing you see on the cover, was very exciting, and I have to say I really was rooting for Sam. For him to get rid of the wish, for him to find his grandfather (who is missing). In the meantime I was also laughing and trying to not roll off my chair because of what happened in the parts where the parents/police officers were featured. Those police officers were just so silly, how did they ever get to be in the police force. :P
On the one side I am a bit sad that we will never find out what happened to the star, or if it was really the star that fell down that triggered and fulfilled the wish, or if it was just something else. Or maybe I just missed something small that I overlooked in all the drama (and also comedy) that happened near/at the end.
I was at first worried about the sister, since she was so smart and at times a bit annoying, I was thinking she would be obnoxious, but she is definitely one of my favourite characters in this book.
While I like the addition of Zada (she was quite the awesome character)... It also just feels like she was added in the book because the refugee situation is quite a hot topic. I know this may sound mean, and I can guarantee it isn't like that, I am just not too sure how I should word it differently. I just see more and more authors put them in their new books, and I wonder if they are doing it because they want to or if they have to.
There was a fair share of fourth wall breaking that had me in stitches.
I knew what was up with Sam's grandfather Sam from quite early in the book. I recognised the signs immediately, especially when he started to run away from the home. I am glad that he at least has so much support of his family, and I hope that they can all help him as much as they can.
And of course the book is illustrated again by Jim Field. His art just fits too perfectly with David Baddiel's books, so I hope that he will be the illustrator for many more books to follow.
Ah, and I am delighted to let my Dutch readers know that a Dutch translation for this book is in the works. :)
So I will be ending this review with that I would recommend this book to everyone. And I can't wait to see what David Baddiel will be writing about next!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Isn't it a wish of all of us when we are kids, to have a birthday that lasts forever? I know I for sure wouldn't have wished for it when I was a kid. :P So I just had to read this book, not only because David Baddiel wrote it and he writes all the awesome stuff, but also because of the birthday. I just wanted to see what would happen, would everlasting birthdays be fun? Would we only see the bright side of it all? Or would we see the consequences and the dark side of it all? I can now tell you that this book will give you an insight in all of it. And not only how it is for the one who did the wish, but also his family, friends, school, everyone. Plus, added to the wishing and birthday mix is also a story about family, grandparents, and dementia.
It is Sam's birthday, and he has a fabulous day filled with friends, food, presents, and more. But he doesn't want it to stop, so while watching through his telescope just before midnight and spotting a shooting star, he makes a wish. Something he never thought come true, but the next day he has another birthday, and the next another one, and so on and on. At first we see Sam thinking it all very awesome and fun and he is making full use of it. He is having fun with all his new toys. But.... you can imagine how it will go.
As I said, the book doesn't just focus on the goods of having a birthday that never stops, it features the bads as well. Like how Ruby feels a bit neglected at times, how Sam's parents struggle to get presents for Sam as money is quickly depleting, how their family is falling farther apart with each birthday, but we also see it is affecting Sam. He went from a fun, sweet, crazy about birthdays, boy to a chubby demanding boy who is quite grumpy if he doesn't get what he wants. Thankfully, and I am really really thankful for it, this Sam is around for only a small bit. Something happens that triggers the return to old Sam. I was already worried that we would have to live with this Sam for a long time, and I am not sure if I would have liked the book so much then.
I love that the second part of the book (yes, it is split up in parts, be sure to check those illustrations) is all about various highlights in year Sam was celebrating his never ending birthday.
The ending or well, starting at the part where Sam gets to building secret stuff, and him and his sister doing the thing you see on the cover, was very exciting, and I have to say I really was rooting for Sam. For him to get rid of the wish, for him to find his grandfather (who is missing). In the meantime I was also laughing and trying to not roll off my chair because of what happened in the parts where the parents/police officers were featured. Those police officers were just so silly, how did they ever get to be in the police force. :P
On the one side I am a bit sad that we will never find out what happened to the star, or if it was really the star that fell down that triggered and fulfilled the wish, or if it was just something else. Or maybe I just missed something small that I overlooked in all the drama (and also comedy) that happened near/at the end.
I was at first worried about the sister, since she was so smart and at times a bit annoying, I was thinking she would be obnoxious, but she is definitely one of my favourite characters in this book.
While I like the addition of Zada (she was quite the awesome character)... It also just feels like she was added in the book because the refugee situation is quite a hot topic. I know this may sound mean, and I can guarantee it isn't like that, I am just not too sure how I should word it differently. I just see more and more authors put them in their new books, and I wonder if they are doing it because they want to or if they have to.
There was a fair share of fourth wall breaking that had me in stitches.
I knew what was up with Sam's grandfather Sam from quite early in the book. I recognised the signs immediately, especially when he started to run away from the home. I am glad that he at least has so much support of his family, and I hope that they can all help him as much as they can.
And of course the book is illustrated again by Jim Field. His art just fits too perfectly with David Baddiel's books, so I hope that he will be the illustrator for many more books to follow.
Ah, and I am delighted to let my Dutch readers know that a Dutch translation for this book is in the works. :)
So I will be ending this review with that I would recommend this book to everyone. And I can't wait to see what David Baddiel will be writing about next!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 15, 2019
I didn't like this book, not my type of book really.
April 27, 2020
FIVE STARS! It was awesome!!!
This story is about a boy who wishes his birthday is every day and thinks it is amazing but it's really not. The book has got loads of good photos and it's very funny I really enjoyed it. I want to read all of the David Baddiel books. I really hope he does another Birthday Boy Book. I am 11 and it's good for people my age.
Careful, spoilers next!
Favourite things about this book:
Favourite Character: Sam.
Favourite Part: when they found Spock underneath the skateboat.
Bit that made me laugh: when grandpa mike asked where the children are to the police man when they were missing.
This story is about a boy who wishes his birthday is every day and thinks it is amazing but it's really not. The book has got loads of good photos and it's very funny I really enjoyed it. I want to read all of the David Baddiel books. I really hope he does another Birthday Boy Book. I am 11 and it's good for people my age.
Careful, spoilers next!
Favourite things about this book:
Favourite Character: Sam.
Favourite Part: when they found Spock underneath the skateboat.
Bit that made me laugh: when grandpa mike asked where the children are to the police man when they were missing.
September 6, 2017
Another excellent 'what if...?' wish fulfilment story for KS2
Not a weak book yet, Mr Baddiel - bravo. We've had children swapping parents, turning into animals, using a games controller to manipulate others' actions - this time Sam enjoys his birthday so much, he makes a wish that it would be his birthday every day.
And so it is. Every. Day. He gets a special breakfast, presents, parties, special treatment - nobody is able to resist wishing him well and offering their congratulations.
Just how long will Sam continue to enjoy sucking his parents dry? How many special breakfasts can he eat?
As you would expect, and as Baddiel has explored before, it is up to the main character to see past the surface pleasures of his wish to the deeper effect it has on those around him. Here Sam is a boy you lose sympathy with after a while as his 'birthday' goes on and on, and his sensible, younger, smarter sister becomes the voice of reason.
I enjoyed his guinea pig (a sentient and clever little guy who seems aware and responsive to his owner) and grandparents, funny minor characters. There is also a skateboarding girl with a barely-developed story I'd like to have seen more of.
Just as engaging as previous books, this gives a good idea what it might be like for you to get what you (think you!) want every day.
A little old for my 6-year-old, this is ideal for an 8-11 year old, with a few illustrations by Baddiel's usual collaborator that suit the style and story.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Not a weak book yet, Mr Baddiel - bravo. We've had children swapping parents, turning into animals, using a games controller to manipulate others' actions - this time Sam enjoys his birthday so much, he makes a wish that it would be his birthday every day.
And so it is. Every. Day. He gets a special breakfast, presents, parties, special treatment - nobody is able to resist wishing him well and offering their congratulations.
Just how long will Sam continue to enjoy sucking his parents dry? How many special breakfasts can he eat?
As you would expect, and as Baddiel has explored before, it is up to the main character to see past the surface pleasures of his wish to the deeper effect it has on those around him. Here Sam is a boy you lose sympathy with after a while as his 'birthday' goes on and on, and his sensible, younger, smarter sister becomes the voice of reason.
I enjoyed his guinea pig (a sentient and clever little guy who seems aware and responsive to his owner) and grandparents, funny minor characters. There is also a skateboarding girl with a barely-developed story I'd like to have seen more of.
Just as engaging as previous books, this gives a good idea what it might be like for you to get what you (think you!) want every day.
A little old for my 6-year-old, this is ideal for an 8-11 year old, with a few illustrations by Baddiel's usual collaborator that suit the style and story.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
August 29, 2019
It Was a really good book to read with lots of chapters in it. I loved that their was pictures but not too baby overloading the book. A good lesson about the pitfalls of every day being your birthday!
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
November 22, 2017
Brilliant !!!!!!
It is a fantastic book and I really loved it. I would recommend this to ages 8-16. Hope you guys and girls also enjoy it!
It is a fantastic book and I really loved it. I would recommend this to ages 8-16. Hope you guys and girls also enjoy it!
August 17, 2018
Brilliant book
Very good and funny book my favourite character is spock and I love grandpa Sam's silly swear words great book
Very good and funny book my favourite character is spock and I love grandpa Sam's silly swear words great book
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October 30, 2018Brilliant book I love when he images things.😀😀😀😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 10, 2020David Baddiel was on a roll, you know. Each of his children’s novels had been better than the previous one, but ‘Birthday Boy’ bucks that trend spectacularly.
The sad thing is that the ‘magic’ of the book is entirely unnecessary. The main plot device of ‘your birthday every day’ is as boring for the reader as it is the protagonist. Also, clearly Baddiel thought at one point that people might compare it to Howells’ Christmas story or, more likely, ‘Groundhog Day’ so took the bizarre step of keeping the calendar ticking and then had to develop weaker and weaker ways to explain away this anomaly.
The potential magic in this book was in allowing children to read about and discuss both immigration and dementia. Both are micro themes here but are largely forgotten about as the characters in question are mainly absent. Dementia in particular is close to Baddiel’s heart, with the character of Grandpa Sam obviously influenced by his own father’s toil with the disease. There was so much scope to bring some of his excellent stage show on the subject to children.
Baddiel gets two stars for his humour alone, which shines when he gives it a chance. The story otherwise is very poor. Actually.
The sad thing is that the ‘magic’ of the book is entirely unnecessary. The main plot device of ‘your birthday every day’ is as boring for the reader as it is the protagonist. Also, clearly Baddiel thought at one point that people might compare it to Howells’ Christmas story or, more likely, ‘Groundhog Day’ so took the bizarre step of keeping the calendar ticking and then had to develop weaker and weaker ways to explain away this anomaly.
The potential magic in this book was in allowing children to read about and discuss both immigration and dementia. Both are micro themes here but are largely forgotten about as the characters in question are mainly absent. Dementia in particular is close to Baddiel’s heart, with the character of Grandpa Sam obviously influenced by his own father’s toil with the disease. There was so much scope to bring some of his excellent stage show on the subject to children.
Baddiel gets two stars for his humour alone, which shines when he gives it a chance. The story otherwise is very poor. Actually.
September 13, 2018
This is such a good book! I have the whole series and I read this one first, I am so excited to read the rest. I recommend this book for 9 to 13 year olds. If you like life and mystery, this is the book for you! I started reading the book and I couldn't put the book down!
It's about this family and the brother and sister go on an adventure. He wishes his birthday was everyday and it came true, but he wants it to stop. What will he do?
It's about this family and the brother and sister go on an adventure. He wishes his birthday was everyday and it came true, but he wants it to stop. What will he do?
July 17, 2018
I like the premise. what the consequences of the whole family at having to celebrate a birthday everyday. But my daughter got board towards the end and we stopped reading (even though I wanted to find out what happened ) when I finished it I was a little disappointed in the ending. It doesn't explain why everyone was compelled to wish him happy birthday every day. meh it was ok
June 4, 2019
I don't usually reads these types of books, but I did enjoy this one! I liked how the story has a moral to it and that would be that it doesn't have to be your birthday for a day to be special. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 9. My favourite characters in the book were the police men because of how unique their characters were.
October 1, 2019
I really liked this book. There is definetely a message of 'be careful what you wish for'. I especially liked the part when they were riding down to the river on his giant skateboard as it was action-packed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2019
This is an okay book as nothing much is going on.It has a very good moral though.The ending is anti-climactic
October 28, 2018
Funny book, I read ‘The Parent Agency’ a few years ago so thought I would try this one. I enjoyed it but I didn’t find it amazing as it was a bit predictable at first when his birthday is everyday. I like how his Grandparents behave!
December 31, 2017
I loved this book. It's really cool
January 9, 2018
A great story
This book makes me laugh and feel intrigued. It teaches a lesson or two and is great for all ages.
This book makes me laugh and feel intrigued. It teaches a lesson or two and is great for all ages.
May 24, 2018
This was the most boring book ever. I don't even know why I read it. The Parent Agency was WAY better!
June 1, 2019
This was the most exciting book I have ever read. Lots of action and hilarious too.
January 2, 2018
I thought it was really good and shows a great exmple of 'be carful what you wish for because it just might happen'. It t is quite funny and comedic in a childish way. Although it is funny it also has quite a sad element at some points.
January 6, 2018
I think this book was okay. I thought it was quite boring at the end were Grandpa Sam was stuck on the island and Sam was trying to get him inside the helicopter and he wouldn't go in. I would recommend it to people from 8-12 years olds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2018
This book was ok but as I’m not as interested in birthdays as Sam I felt little to no relationship with the character which made it hard to put me in his place . Nevertheless it was a great plot and , as always , David Baddiel never failed to delight his readers , I’m no expection.
October 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book, read it in two sittings.
April 12, 2018
Another amazing and playful book by David Baddiel.
January 7, 2018
A great read with my 11 year old boy!
January 7, 2018
really good could not put it down
January 24, 2018
It started off so well but unfortunately it was not a page turner. Not sure my daughter was that fussed about reading it, she enjoyed animalcolm instead.
February 9, 2018
One of the best books ever!
March 19, 2018
My 10 year old found this easy to read and keep track of the good story. Not sure we understood the very last page, what relevance it had to the story. All the characters were likeable. Amusing.
June 10, 2018
Great story to read to my son, fastasic premise and some good lessons for life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews