Vivid illustrations accompany the story of a small girl who cannot decide on a present for her mother's birthday.

On her tenth birthday, Becky braids her own hair, goes grocery shopping all by herself, helps make peach ice cream, makes a bouquet, and goes on an evening birthday picnic.

Poppleton the pig makes a new friend after an icicle accident, creates a bust of Cherry Sue, and gets a wintry birthday surprise from his pals.

When Cam's grandparents are robbed on their way to her parents' surprise birthday party, Cam uses her photographic memory to solve the mystery.

As spring arrives on Gardam Street, there are surprises in store for each Penderwick, from neighbor Nick Geiger's expected return from the war to Batty's new dog-walking business, but her plans to use her profits to surprise her family on her eleventh birthday go astray.

Carmela, finally old enough to run errands with her brother, tries to think of the perfect birthday wish, while his wish seems to be that she stayed home.--

Receiving a giant puffy purple coat from his fashionable friend, Beetle, as a birthday gift, Stick Bug unhappily accompanies Beetle all over town before finding the courage to admit that he does not really care for the flashy coat or the attention it brings.

Eddie is five and a half and things she is the only one in her family without a special talent. So when she hears her sister say "birthday-Mommy-fluffy-little-squishy," she worries that her sister will give Mom the better present.

During Ares' birthday, Aphrodite is intent on making sure he has a good time, but that requires her to keep an eye on his sister Eris, who is planning mischief.

"A young girl celebrates her birthday and the special treats she can make for her class."--