Awesome Orange Birthday

Priya is excited to plan her aunty’s birthday party. She will donate the money she makes to help the cutest endangered animal on the planet, the quokka! But the party is this Saturday! With so many items on her to-do list, can she get it all done in time? Priya sends out handmade invitations, makes DIY decorations, and sets an orange-only snacks menu – including pumpkin samosas! Will Priya’s very first party be a success? 

Planning a party is a lot of work, but Priya has help from her family and friends. As she prepares for the party, she relies on her to-do list. However, she finds that after party planning, her “whole body is tired now. Achy brain from thinking. Achy legs from biking. Achy fingers from crafting.” Even though the planning is a lot of work, Priya is enjoying herself. On the day of the party, with the help of others, the birthday bash is fun for everyone. At the end of the party, Priya is proud of her new business. She thinks, “I feel really good doing what I love — DIY crafts, making people happy, and helping animals.” 

Priya is a likable main character who hates being surprised but loves surprising others. Like many, she worries that the birthday girl won’t like the decorations and that something might go wrong. Instead of focusing on store-bought decorations and gifts, Priya makes everything. One of the best gifts is a book with notes written by the party guests to the birthday girl. Not needing gifts is reinforced when instead of the party girl receiving gifts, her friends donate money to help quokkas. 

At the beginning of the story, Priya introduces her mom and her friends, saying, “They might look like quiet ladies. But when the five of them get together, they are actually a wild bunch.” The friends are shown driving a golf cart into a lake and setting off the sprinklers in a hotel room. However, it is unclear if the woman intended to do this or if it was an accident. Adults may want to discuss this part of the story with readers to make sure they don’t copy the women because it looks fun.  

Awesome Orange Birthday uses bright colors in its illustrations, which appear on every page. Priya makes lists that look like paper taped to the page. These lists always have a visual element such as hearts, stickers, or small illustrations. The text is easy to read because the narration is printed with black font on lined paper, and the dialogue appears in speech bubbles. To help readers understand Priya’s emotions, a picture shows her facial expressions, with her feelings listed next to it. Overall, Awesome Orange Birthday is a visual treat that young readers will love. The book ends with instructions for making a paper chain curtain. 

The book’s topic is highly relatable because almost every child has been to a party, either their own or someone else’s. The book’s focus on making homemade gifts and gift-giving for a cause will give readers a chance to reflect on their future gift-giving. In addition, the book encourages readers to create their own DIY projects with simple items found in most houses. While Priya donates money to a worthy cause, there is little information about quokkas or other ways to help endangered animals. Awesome Orange Birthday’s vivid illustrations, kind protagonist, and fun birthday party will leave readers feeling like Priya is their friend.  

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• None