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A review by katykelly
Birthday Boy by David Baddiel
5.0
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.