I Don't Like Birthday Parties

by Maureen Gaspari, Siski Kalla (Illustrator)

More than anything, Lucas wants to enjoy birthday parties like his friends... but he is overwhelmed by all of the sights, sounds and sensations that come with celebrations. When he gets invited to a birthday party for his friend, he makes a brave plan to join in, thinking that he should act like everyone else. But when his plan fails, a new friend teaches him that there is more than one way to enjoy a birthday party... and that's perfectly fine.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Parenting

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never felt so seen. :')

Except the ending is totally unrealistic. The kid should have learned to find joy from within rather than from a girl also hiding under the table who happened to be just like him. Ain't gonna happen. Instead tell the kids: You're a loner and you're better off that way!

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother of a highly sensitive child who hated birthday parties when he was little, I have such a deep appreciation for this book. It's beautifully written and illustrated, and shows children, both highly sensitive and not, that adapting to the world and changing who we are isn't the answer, that we can perhaps, change the world around us to suit our needs, and that there is more than one way to celebrate.

An excellent book that will help highly sensitive kids feel understood, and help others better understand their sensitive friends and family.

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas does NOT like birthday parties. Every party was the same – Loud! Crowded! Chaotic! It was all too much! He wanted to like parties, he really did. Determined to be brave, he decided to join in and comes to discover there is more than one way to celebrate a birthday. Author Maureen Gaspari’s words are encouraging and heartwarming. The illustrations by Siski Kalla are lovely. Uplifting and validating. A must-have for libraries, classrooms, and home!

[Jessica Speer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book shares the story of a highly sensitive child at birthday parties. Not all children want to celebrate the same way. I love how this book explores the world of sensitive children, letting readers know they are fine just as they are and can celebrate in their own special way.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to share with children who have high sensitivity (so they can better understand themselves and/or realize they are not alone in how they feel) or with those who have friends with such (so they can better understand them).

[Cyndee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant capture of what it is like for anyone, not just kids, when surrounding events are beyond what one can handle. And then how the boy set out a plan to help him fly though situations that were uncomfortable. I would have loved this when our son was a boy ♥ ♥ ♥

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucas finds out he only likes certain types of birthday parties.

[Aarvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

borrow

[Julie Culver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that describes what it is like to be overstimulated at a party and shows that it is alright to be different.