Arthur's Birthday Party (I Can Read Book Series) » (Level 2, Grades 1-3)

Lillian Hoban was the author and illustrator of many favorite I Can Read books, including Joe and Betsy the Dinosaur, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving, and a series about Arthur the chimpanzee. She also illustrated many picture books, including the classic stories about Frances.

Arthur is having a gymnastics party for his birthday, with prizes for balancing, tumbling, and rope climbing. Arthur is sure that he will win the prize for best all—around gymnast. But his little sister, Violet, and her friend Wilma have been practicing-and they may have a surprise in store....

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Hoban continues her successful series with this fast-moving story with lots of child appeal. Arthur is planning his gymnastics birthday party. He begins by showing off his athletic prowess in front of his little sister Violet and her friend Wilma. At his party, he plans to win the prize for best all-around gymnast. In fact, he brags so much it's a wonder that Arthur's friends even show up on the special day. At the party, however, all of the guests win a prize for their stunts, and Arthur is bestowed the honor he coveted. Hoban uses simple words and straightforward sentence structure in this easy reader. Longer words such as "trampoline" and "gymnastics" have obvious picture clues and are repeated frequently. Here, the artist uses more colorful pastels than in her earlier books. Action-filled pictures of various sizes appear on every double-page spread. Birthdays have always been a favorite theme of new readers and they will be happy to celebrate with this little chimpanzee.--Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA