Five anthologies target ages with birthday-party specificity. It's Fun to Be Five (ages 5-7) and Now I Am Six (ages 6-9) have eight stories each, by authors such as A.A. Milne and Rosemary Wells. It's Heaven to Be Seven (ages 7-10); It's Great to Be Eight (ages 7-10) and It's Fine to Be Nine (ages 8-11) each gather a dozen stories with black-and-white illustrations; authors include Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl.
Patricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.