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Angelina Ballerina
Angelina's Birthday
Japanese edition of Angelina's Birthday. Angelina is all excited about her big birthday party with her friends. As she rides around town getting ready, her treasured bicycle is badly damaged, and she does not have enough money for a new one. What will happen to her birthday now?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 1989
5 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Katharine Holabird
292 books82 followersKatharine Holabird is an American writer, best known as the author of the Angelina Ballerina series.
As a child, Holabird was an avid reader who loved fairy tales and stories about heroic animals, and she frequently saw ballets like Cinderella and Swan Lake with her grandmother. The young, imaginative Holabird loved animals, playing in her tree house, and dancing with her sisters. In 1969, she received a B.A. in literature from Bennington College in Vermont and then worked at Bennington College as a literary editor for a year after her graduation. Holabird then found herself in Italy as a freelance journalist where she met her husband, Michael Haggiag. The two married in 1974 and moved to London where she continued to write and worked at a nursery school.
In 1983, her first children’s book, Angelina Ballerina, was published. Holabird’s son, Adam, was her inspiration for the character Henry, and Angelina’s character was inspired by her daughters’ love for dressing up and dancing. Holabird wrote the first draft of Angelina Ballerina at the kitchen table with her daughters dancing around her. In fact, the Angelina books were originally about a girl, but then Craig drew a mouse, and Holabird loved it. “The impulsive character of Angelina came alive,” says Holabird, “and seemed to pirouette off the page with enthusiasm and energy, while her plump and ebullient body expressed drama and attitude in every twitch of her tail.” Angelina is a very emotional character; she is sensitive and often bursts into tears right before offering an apology. She struggles with her conscience but always ends up doing the right thing—which is very familiar to many young children. The universal childhood themes in Angelina include friendship, jealousy, loyalty, & dedication. Holabird’s goal was to realistically portray the difficulties of growing up. According to Holabird, it is a ballerina book for “all the passionate little dancers and performers in the world,” including her own two daughters, which is why she “decided to explore the impulsive, highly emotional character of a small but determined ballerina.”
The first American edition of Angelina Ballerina was published in 1984. A year later, Holabird received the Kentucky Bluegrass Award for Angelina Ballerina. In 1986 and 1987, she received the ALA Notable Book Awards. Angelina’s Christmas was selected as Child Study Association’s Children’s Book of the Year in 1987. The following year, Holabird and Craig published Alexander and the Dragon, their first Alexander book; it is aimed at preschool children who want to be consoled about bedtime monsters. In 1990, Holabird wrote the Alexander sequel, Alexander and the Magic Boat, which portrays a strong mother/son relationship while the two go on a voyage to imaginary worlds. Also in 1990, Holabird received the British Book Design and Production award.
In 1999, HIT Entertainment in London (known for Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, and Barney) secured the rights for Angelina Ballerina and commissioned Grand Slamm Children's Films to make an animated TV pilot. HIT also developed a lot of Angelina merchandise. Angelina made her worldwide television debut in 2001 on CITV in the United Kingdom. In 2002, the Angelina series premiered on PBS Kids TV in the United States. Angelina Ballerina’s Invitation to the Ballet received the prestigious Oppenheim Platinum Award in the U.S. in 2004. That same year, Angelina was named the official spokesperson of National Dance Week in the United States. In 2005, Angelina made her debut on PBS Kids Sprout, a twenty-four-hour digital television channel for preschoolers in the U.S.
As a child, Holabird was an avid reader who loved fairy tales and stories about heroic animals, and she frequently saw ballets like Cinderella and Swan Lake with her grandmother. The young, imaginative Holabird loved animals, playing in her tree house, and dancing with her sisters. In 1969, she received a B.A. in literature from Bennington College in Vermont and then worked at Bennington College as a literary editor for a year after her graduation. Holabird then found herself in Italy as a freelance journalist where she met her husband, Michael Haggiag. The two married in 1974 and moved to London where she continued to write and worked at a nursery school.
In 1983, her first children’s book, Angelina Ballerina, was published. Holabird’s son, Adam, was her inspiration for the character Henry, and Angelina’s character was inspired by her daughters’ love for dressing up and dancing. Holabird wrote the first draft of Angelina Ballerina at the kitchen table with her daughters dancing around her. In fact, the Angelina books were originally about a girl, but then Craig drew a mouse, and Holabird loved it. “The impulsive character of Angelina came alive,” says Holabird, “and seemed to pirouette off the page with enthusiasm and energy, while her plump and ebullient body expressed drama and attitude in every twitch of her tail.” Angelina is a very emotional character; she is sensitive and often bursts into tears right before offering an apology. She struggles with her conscience but always ends up doing the right thing—which is very familiar to many young children. The universal childhood themes in Angelina include friendship, jealousy, loyalty, & dedication. Holabird’s goal was to realistically portray the difficulties of growing up. According to Holabird, it is a ballerina book for “all the passionate little dancers and performers in the world,” including her own two daughters, which is why she “decided to explore the impulsive, highly emotional character of a small but determined ballerina.”
The first American edition of Angelina Ballerina was published in 1984. A year later, Holabird received the Kentucky Bluegrass Award for Angelina Ballerina. In 1986 and 1987, she received the ALA Notable Book Awards. Angelina’s Christmas was selected as Child Study Association’s Children’s Book of the Year in 1987. The following year, Holabird and Craig published Alexander and the Dragon, their first Alexander book; it is aimed at preschool children who want to be consoled about bedtime monsters. In 1990, Holabird wrote the Alexander sequel, Alexander and the Magic Boat, which portrays a strong mother/son relationship while the two go on a voyage to imaginary worlds. Also in 1990, Holabird received the British Book Design and Production award.
In 1999, HIT Entertainment in London (known for Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, and Barney) secured the rights for Angelina Ballerina and commissioned Grand Slamm Children's Films to make an animated TV pilot. HIT also developed a lot of Angelina merchandise. Angelina made her worldwide television debut in 2001 on CITV in the United Kingdom. In 2002, the Angelina series premiered on PBS Kids TV in the United States. Angelina Ballerina’s Invitation to the Ballet received the prestigious Oppenheim Platinum Award in the U.S. in 2004. That same year, Angelina was named the official spokesperson of National Dance Week in the United States. In 2005, Angelina made her debut on PBS Kids Sprout, a twenty-four-hour digital television channel for preschoolers in the U.S.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 1, 2011
Lately we cannot leave the library without at least one Angelina book. Jordan loves her, and I love that she keeps flocking to her stories. I'm reminded of what one of my wonderful children's lit professors told us in college: "Serial books make serial readers." I smile when I think about what series books really grabbed me, and I have to believe the man is right. Thank you Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Ann M. Martin. Your characters got me hooked!
February 26, 2012
This story was wonderfully rewarding. This shows that the people who care about you will always come through. Only one problem... I honestly don't think that a rock of that size would totally bust Angelina's bike the way it did, unless she's that terrible of a driver. =?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2021
Anniina Ballerina rikkoo oman pyöränsä kilpailun tuoksinnassa ja tienaa erinäköisillä askareilla taskurahaa uuden pyörän hankintaan. Siinä välissä Anniina viettää syntymäpäiväjuhliaan.
Mielestäni hyvin opettavainen tarina.
Mielestäni hyvin opettavainen tarina.
June 24, 2022
Angelina has a problem. Right before her birthday she wrecks her bike. Now she's frantic to earn the money to buy a new one so she can have a birthday bike ride. Of course everyone notices her efforts and she will be rewarded for them in a way she never would have expected. All the same, this is a brilliant book in how it shows such a great work ethic, and what happens when those around you notice all the effort you're putting in and love you enough to want to reward you for it.
I love the Angelina books. Sometimes she's snotty toward Henry which irritates me to no end, but isn't that genuine too? Angelina isn't old enough to always be nice to someone younger than her. Perhaps that's way my kids always loved watching Angelina. She just felt real to them, even if she is a ballerina mouse. Fun book!
I love the Angelina books. Sometimes she's snotty toward Henry which irritates me to no end, but isn't that genuine too? Angelina isn't old enough to always be nice to someone younger than her. Perhaps that's way my kids always loved watching Angelina. She just felt real to them, even if she is a ballerina mouse. Fun book!
June 29, 2020
Angelina Ballerina loves riding her Aunt's old bike, but in a race down a hill she crashes it and it is destroyed. When she discovers that it cannot be fixed, she decides that she's going to do chores for family and friends in order to save up the money to buy a new bike. On her birthday, she is surprised by her family and friends, who after seeing how hard she has worked, all pitched in to get her a brand new bicycle. The story ends with a group bike ride through the park. Unlike some other Angelina stories, this story has great pacing and a fantastic message on self-responsibility and work ethic.
August 17, 2025
A sweet book with beautiful illustrations, about a mouse who loves to go fast on her bike in a frilly pink dress! Shows the joys of hard work, helping others, and generosity/hospitality. Might remind you of the fun you had as a kid, being free to go where you pleased on a bike with your friends! Might also be one of the only children's books with blood (only a teeny tiny bit) in an illustration that I can think of (Angelina cuts her foot in a bicycling accident, not scary).
July 30, 2022
i love anything angelina 🤍 i used to watch angelina cd’s when i was younger. i really appreciate how she was patient enough to work hard to buy her own bicycle. but actually, her friends and family bought it as a surprise gift for her. 😅 she really is loved by everyone and even if it’s just fiction, it’s nice that the community she lives in are supportive of everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
We love this book. As with all the Angelina books the illustrations are sweet and detailed. What sets this particular title apart are the lessons of the story, friendship, hard work, perseverance, not expecting things to be handed to you. I'm happy to read this one over and over
January 19, 2018
Earlier I was looking for books about bicycling, and I remembered reading this to my daughters. How we loved it!
June 22, 2018
Helen Craig's illustrations are wonderful
July 17, 2019
Has to be one of my favorite children's books series. I simply adore the illustrations that writing style and the moral of each story I have read so far
March 14, 2022
Helen Craig’s illustrations are an absolute joy. An innocent tale about correcting wrongs and the rewards of hard work.
October 15, 2024
Amazing illustrations, they really take the reader to a whole different world
November 14, 2024
Sweet. Birthday. Hard work. Inspiring
December 13, 2024
Loved the moral and the illustrations!
September 16, 2014
Angelina's Birthday Surprise is an entertaining book in which Angelina, an enthusiastic mouse, gets a brand new bicycle. Unfortunately, she was so excited riding her new bike that she crashed and broke it. She worked hard doing chores for family in friends so that she could save up money for a new bike. At her birthday party, she gets a wonderful surprise from her family and friends, who all pitched in to get her a brand new bicycle. They happily end the birthday party with a big group bike ride through the park.
Helen Craig's illustrations in this book are extremely detailed. She uses framing and has Angelina jumping from one page to the next. The soft colors give it a girly, comfortable feel. The pictures show Angelina's happy facial expression, her movements, and her happy vibe. The backgrounds for the pictures are soft, making the characters bolder and more eye catching. As I looked at the cover, the first thing that caught my eye was Angelina. Katharine Holabird did a good job making the story entertaining, as usual. Angelina is a humorous character who is always getting herself into trouble. The story is entertaining, and has a happy ending, which is usual for Holabrid.
Helen Craig's illustrations in this book are extremely detailed. She uses framing and has Angelina jumping from one page to the next. The soft colors give it a girly, comfortable feel. The pictures show Angelina's happy facial expression, her movements, and her happy vibe. The backgrounds for the pictures are soft, making the characters bolder and more eye catching. As I looked at the cover, the first thing that caught my eye was Angelina. Katharine Holabird did a good job making the story entertaining, as usual. Angelina is a humorous character who is always getting herself into trouble. The story is entertaining, and has a happy ending, which is usual for Holabrid.
August 12, 2011
In this book, it had my name in it. And it was Angelina's birthday. And Alic and Angelina worked very hard to make money because one day, Alice made Angelina race and she tripped over a big rock and she flew up in the air and she had a big cut. And they went to Angelina's house, and Angelina's father bandaged her foot where she got the cut. And she saw the most beautiful bicycle in the world. So they did work to get money. They worked very hard, and they counted their money, but they didn't have enough to get the bicycle. And then it was finally Angelina's birthday. Alice and Angelina got lots of balloons. They setted up at the park, and then her friends started coming. Alice came early to help blow up the balloons. And then they gave the presents. Angelina's little brother showed her the bicycle that she wanted. And everybody helped buy the bicycle. And then they all did a birthday party bike ride. Angelina was in front. They tied balloons and streamers to the bicycles so they would float up high in the air when they were riding. - by Felicity
March 14, 2012
Angelina and her friend Alice go to the store to buy Angelina's birthday decorations. Alice and Angelina then race home on their bikes, but then Angelina crashes and gets a cut on her foot and her bike is ruined. When Angelina gets home Angelina's father bandages her foot. Angelina wants a new bike. Angelina and Alice do chores to get Angelina's new bike, but Angelina doesn't have enough money to buy herself a new bike. On her birthday Angelina gets a silver bike horn from her cousin Henry, hair ribbons from Flora and Felicity, a delicate ballerina doll from Alice, and as a surprise gift the same red bike that Alice and Angelina saw at the bike store.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2012
The illustrations are as beautiful in the Angelina story as in all of the other Angelina stories. In the story, Angelina and Alice ride their bikes to Mrs. Thimble's to buy party decorations. On their way back home, Angelina crashes her bike and destroys it. Angelina is very sad. Her Mother tells her that maybe she should just try earning some money so she can buy herself a new bike. Angelina does just that, but discovers that she doesn't have enough money as the days and chores go by. On the day of her birthday Angelina receives many wonderful gifts including a new bike. She is very happy and leads everyone on a birthday bicycle ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2013
This story involves friendship and problem solving. Angelina and her friend have an accident where she completely wrecks her bike as she is sending out invitations to her birthday party. In order to get a new bike in time for her birthday, Angelina tries to work as many jobs as possible. But unfortunately she has come up short and unable to buy a new bike because her lack of funds. As a surprise her family and friends pool in money to get her a brand new bike!
July 7, 2011
My least favorite in the Angelina series (which I otherwise really enjoy). I don't like how Angelina blames her friend for her bicycle accident when she was just as much at fault, and continues to allow the friend to feel guilty. It seems to me that children's books should reinforce good values--like taking responsibility for your own mistakes.
September 27, 2011
I enjoyed this book, becuase it showed how hard work can pay off. When Angelina's wrecks her bike she has no money to purchase a new one. So, she goes out and she works to earn money for a new one. Now of course she doesn't earn enough for what she wants-which makes her sad. However, Angelina has a lot of friends that surprise her with the best birthday wish she could ever ask for!
November 17, 2007
salah satu hasil ngaduk-ngaduk tumpukan used books di ikapi book fair 16 nov 2007 kemaren. rp 40.000.
nice story..
maybe one of the best stories from angelina ballerina series.
ngajarin anak untuk berusaha bekerja keras untuk mendapatkan apa yang diinginkan.
nice story..
maybe one of the best stories from angelina ballerina series.
ngajarin anak untuk berusaha bekerja keras untuk mendapatkan apa yang diinginkan.
June 28, 2011
This was my first introduction to the Angelina books and I really enjoyed it. The author is great at telling a story and having a subtle lesson taught in it as well. This story teaches children that they can work and be happy about it - a lesson that children aren't taught very often anymore.
October 17, 2012
Love the illustrations but the story about Angelina wrecking her bicycle and working to get a new one, while a nice idea, was just so-so. Still, all the birthday balloons and such were definitely festive ;-)
February 29, 2008
Have many of these books, as well as the doll and playthings. Can't wait until dd2 gets old enough to play with them!
April 5, 2013
Nice story about Angelina Ballerina growing up, taking more responsibility, and earning money for a new bike.
October 13, 2013
The glamour of birthdays, bicycles, balloons and ballerinas. A frequently requested book.
June 15, 2016
The manufactured impediment deflates the story, but the artwork deserves a star.
March 31, 2026
2022- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews