A few days before his birthday, a little boy meets various unexpected characters — including a herd of singing cows and a gang of robbers! — who present him with some unusual gifts; in return, he invites them to his birthday party since his mom “won’t mind”… or would she?

With upbeat rhyming verses, wacky illustrations and surprises aplenty, this is hands-down the best birthday-themed book we’ve read to date.

Our used copy of this out-of-print gem is pretty beat-up, but the kids don’t mind it one bit! They particularly love the envelopes fashioned into the various spreads containing the hilariously impractical gifts that can be pulled out separately.