Happy Birthday to You!: The Sisters Who Wrote the Most Famous Song in the World

by Rachelle Burk

Genres: Picture Books, Biography

36 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Birthday to You! by Rachelle Burk is a delightful and informative picture book that tells the fascinating true story behind the world’s most sung tune. What I love most, however, is how Rachelle uncovered an interesting story that I had never heard, about a song everyone knows around the world. Aimed for readers ages 6–11, this book introduces us to Patty and Mildred Hill, two sisters from Kentucky who composed the melody in 1889 that would become the iconic “Happy Birthday to You!” song.

What makes this book stand out is how it transforms a seemingly ordinary song into a tale of creativity, perseverance, and historical impact. The story begins in a kindergarten classroom, where Patty Hill, a teacher, wanted a simple song that her students could sing together. With her sister Mildred, a musician, they created “Good Morning to All,” which later evolved into the birthday anthem we all know today. I also appreciate the back matter, which highlights the accomplishments of the two sisters and gives readers an interesting timeline that enriches the story.

Burk’s writing is engaging and accessible, making complex historical details easy for young readers to understand. The fascinating back matter includes how Patty Hill once sued Irving Berlin for using the song without permission, as well as how the tune has been sung everywhere—from birthday parties to outer space.

Abigail Lashbrook’s illustrations are vibrant and expressive, perfectly complementing the book's joyful tone. The artwork brings the Hill sisters’ story to life, capturing both the historical setting and the universal celebration of birthdays.

What’s especially compelling is Burk’s motivation for writing the book. She discovered the story through a newsletter and realized that despite the song’s global popularity, the creators were virtually unknown. Her research was meticulous, relying on university archives and legal documents to ensure accuracy.

This book is a celebration of unsung heroes—literally. It’s perfect for classroom read-alouds, music lessons, or any child curious about the stories behind everyday things. Happy Birthday to You! is not just about a song; it’s about two women whose creativity shaped a global tradition.

Highly recommended for young readers, educators, and anyone who’s ever sung “Happy Birthday.”

[Diane Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a special book! I highly recommend it! We all know the Happy Birthday song but I don't know anyone who knows its origin. It's actually a fascinating story, and author Rachelle Burk writes about it with charm and enthusiasm, and the historical context is just the right amount of information. The book was a fun read, even for a grown up! Well- written with the clarity and skill we have come to expect from this prolific children's author. Burk's book not only tells the story, but it's also a great lesson in perseverance for the kiddies without being preachy. You can't have enough books that teach this lesson! Also, I love how the book reflects the beautiful relationship and collaboration the sisters had, which is also a wonderful lesson. The lovely illustrations by Abigail Lashbrook are the perfect accompaniment. A beautiful duet! We finally have the perfect Happy Birthday children's book!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisters Mildred and Patty Hill were the perfect pair. Mildred had musical talent and Patty loved to tell stories and make up rhymes. Together, they turned simple rhymes into songs for Patty’s Kindergarten students. “Good morning to you, good morning to you, good morning, everybody… good morning to you.” This familiar tune that every school kid knows today was so catchy and adaptable Patty used it for children’s birthdays, changing the words to the familiar song sung throughout the world to celebrate birthdays. The rest, as they say, is history.
A charming and kid friendly account of the origins of the most sung tune in the world. It also brings to light the sisters who shared their talents and were all but forgotten. Thanks to Burk, we get to celebrate their inspiration and talents. This story is a perfect one to share for your favorite kid’s birthday. The delightful and engaging illustrations add to the joyful and festive story.

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no doubt that the story of how Mildred and Patty Hill, sisters, came up with the music and lyrics of the Happy Birthday song will warm your heart and have you humming the famous tune. Patty, a kindergarten school teacher, noticed her students could not reach certain notes and so she asked her sister, Mildred, to create music and lyrics that the children could sing with ease. The Happy Birthday song was the result of their hard work and perseverance. Sadly, the Happy Birthday song became world renown without recognizing its incredibly talented creators. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU is beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated. The book is a winner that is sure to be a classroom and bedtime favorite. Highly recommended.

[Erin Buhr]

Everyone knows the Happy Birthday song. You have likely been singing it all your life. Very few people however, know where it originated. The real story of the invention and composition of the Happy Birthday song or Happy Birthday to You is shared on the pages of this nonfiction picture book. It is the tale of two sisters, a kindergarten classroom, and lots of tinkering with melody. I like the simplicity of the story but also that the sisters didn't get it right on their first try. Their eagerness to try again and again to get something right is encouraging. A fun history on something we almost all universally share.

[Lisa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book about the history of the song, “happy birthday to You.”I bought it to read to my grandchildren, but as a former educator, I also enjoyed the fact that the story taught me something I never knew before about the history of this song. I think this is a wonderful book for children (or grandchildren) as well as for elementary school classrooms. The book ends with information from the author about Mildred and Patty Hill, the history of the song as well as a timeline. It was beautifully written and illustrated.

[Naomi Gruer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew two talented sisters wrote the Happy Birthday song? Happy Birthday to You!: The Sisters Who Wrote the Most Famous Song in the World introduces Mildred and Patty Hill, touches upon their childhood, explains how they followed their ambitions, and describes how they wrote music together. Rachelle Burk's text and Abigail Lashbrook's illustrations combine beautifully to show how Patty and Mildred collaborated while working on the tune and how it travelled across the world. The story ends on a sweet note when modern kids celebrate their birthdays.

[PB FAIRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children and adults alike will be fascinated by this origin story of the Happy Birthday song. Have you ever wondered how it came about? The story of two sisters who chose careers at a time when many women didn't, working together to compose this most popular song, is beautifully told and illustrated. A wonderful, truly interesting read! I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever sung the song...which is everyone!

[Ann Koffsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of how the classic Birthday song came to be! I never knew this story, and loved reading about how the authors of the song were two sisters, and how they created it as an educational tool, with direct feedback from classrooms of kids. Beautifully told, deceptively simple- I highly recommend!

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've sung this song sooooo many times, but I had never thought about where it came from! I loved learning about the history of the happy birthday song. I also very much enjoyed the fact that it took both sisters for the song to come into being. Such a fun book to read with a pair of sisters, or with any kids!

[Leslie Kimmelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone knows the song, but the story behind the song isn't familiar to most of us...until now. A straightforward and fascinating narrative about two musically talented, modest, and dedicated sisters. Warm, sunny illustrations are the icing on the (birthday) cake. And get a load of the musical endpapers!

[Rebecca Gardyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I never once thought about where the Happy Birthday Song came from, but thanks to this wonderful picture book, I now know! Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, the story follows two sisters, a Kindergarten teacher and a composer, and the circumstances that led to the creation of a song that has become such an integral part of our lives. A fabulous and interesting book!

[Renee Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love knowing that the most popular song in the world was written and composed by sisters with such a strong desire to teach and to make learning fun. While reading it, I couldn't help but think about the variations of the song that I'd heard in my lifetime, including learning how to sing it in a few different languages. What a sweet origin story!