Cranberry Birthday

Cranberryport

by Wende Devlin, Harry Devlin

"Mr. Whisker's sister Sarah is coming for his birthday," announces Maggie one bright summer day. "He's cooking!" she adds.
"Oh, NO!" cries Grandmother. She remembers the awful crab fritters and burnt chocolate cake she had at Mr. Whiskers' house, the very menu he is planning for his sister! How will she convince her old friend that he needs help?
Down in his gray cottage by the sea, Mr. Whiskers is happily preparing for his persnickety sister's visit. The trouble begins when Grandmother and Maggie join him for a picnic at Cedar Creek. Mr. Whiskers bravely rescues a puppy from the water, but Maggie tells him that he can't keep the little dog, it belongs to someone else.
Then Mr. Whisker's cooking attempts end in a sticky bowl, a charred pan, and a virtual explosion of burned muffins. "Suffering codfish, I hate birthday!" he sighs.
Can Mr. Whiskers' friends save his birthday celebration? It's all in the hand of Maggie and Grandmother in wholesome addition to the beloved Cranberryport series.
Since cranberries are out of season on Mr. whiskers' birthday, Grandmother uses her strawberry birthday cake recipe which is in the back.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I love these Cranberryport books so much, but I do. The artwork is ok, but I enjoy the characters and the setting. It's Maine and all the seafood you can eat. Mr. Whiskers is having a birthday and he is going to cook his own meal - be afraid, be very afraid. They go swimming and I love the full body stripped suit that Mr. Whiskers wears. It is retro-AWESOME! He saves a puppy floating the river on a log and wants to keep it. It has a tag so the puppy is returned.

Grandma is sly and she invites many people from town to a potluck, so they bring food and Grandma saves the day. Mr. Whiskers loves his present.

My birthday is soonish so I got this book in a mini-celebration. Cranberryport makes my day. It might not be the most amazing, but something about it makes me happy.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Mr. Whiskers' birthday, and nothing seems to be going right for the scruffy old sea captain. The puppy he rescues (and promptly falls in love with) must be returned to its owners, and the special meal he prepares for his persnickety sister Sarah's visit is a disaster. Fortunately, Maggie, Grandmother and the rest of Mr. Whiskers' friends in Cranberryport are there to save the day, creating a beautiful feast and, in Maggie's case, providing a much-longed for gift...

The sixth book in Wende and Harry Devlin's series of picture-books set in Cranberryport, a small New England village on the edge of a cranberry bog, Cranberry Birthday is the ninth I have read. Like so many of the other books in the series, it pairs an engaging, ultimately heartwarming story of friendship and community with appealing vintage-style artwork. The depiction of Mr Whiskers here is particularly expressive, and I found his swimming outfit delightful! I think this whole series is charming, and am so glad that the Kentucky-based small publisher, Purple House Press, has been bringing some of them back into print! Recommended to picture-book readers looking for birthday stories, as well as to fans of the Cranberryport series.

[Anjanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cranberryport teaches me that lemonade enhances a gathering of neighbors; that even a misfit should feel special and celebrated on his birthday; that sometimes I have to face my fears to help another; that when I really listen to a friend, I can bless their socks off with a simple gift! 🎁 …all lessons worth learning and relearning

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Whiskers is having a pretty lousy birthday, until his pals get together to throw a party . . . with one EXTRA SPECIAL surprise. Another sweet Cranberry adventure with a decidedly non-cranberry recipe at the end.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lovable Mr. Whiskers continues his shenanigans in this story of humor and kindness. The Cranberry series is a celebrated one in our household, and this title lives up to our expectations. As with many of the Cranberry books, this one is helps teach us that loved ones are what matter most, and equally helps us put birthdays into perspective. Those familiar with Devlin's writing know that almost no book goes without a recipe, and this is no exception. We are treated to Grandmother's Birthday Cake at the end of the book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the innocence these books show. My daughter likes Mr Whiskers' shenanigans and the deep voice I use for him. Fun for both of us.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another entertaining story in the Cranberryport series by Wende Devlin and Harry Devlin.

This series is very charming and features a cantankerous character named Mr. Whiskers who is hilarious. We've read many books in this series, mainly around the associated season or holiday. The illustrations are old fashioned and have a nice New England summer theme.

I chose to read this book at the time of our daughter's birthday and our girls thought it was very humorous. We all thought it was sweet that Grandmother and Maggie got the community to come together and help Mr. Whiskers celebrate his birthday and fend off his sister. The ending is very sweet.

We enjoyed reading this book together, and a recipe for Grandmother's birthday cake (featuring strawberries, since cranberries are out of season on Mr. Whiskers's birthday) is included in the back of the book

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slowly collecting this fun series. Love reading these books to my little one. We have had good luck with the recipes, also. Each book has a recipe that somehow is in the story. This story has a strawberry cake that looks good. Strawberries were used since cranberries are not in season during Mr. Whiskers birthday.;)

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Mr. Whiskers birthday and he is cooking. Grandmother and Maggie must save the day.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for Grayson’s birthday. Another great addition to the Cranberry series! 🎂

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Whiskers is having a birthday, and his persnickety sister Sarah is coming to help him celebrate. Mr. Whiskers finds himself is a whirlwind of calamities as the day approaches, but the people of Crannberryport, along with Maggie and Grandmother come to his aid. In the end Mr.Whiskers receives a surprise gift to top off his special day.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funniest Cranberry book yet! So fun.