Oscar's Half Birthday - ISBNLookup.com

Publishers Weekly

Graham (Max) serves up a slice of urban family life-and of birthday cake-in this picture book celebration of Oscar's first half-year. Mom, Dad and almost-four-year-old Millie think that a whole year is too long to wait to mark baby Oscar's milestone. So, Oscar's half-birthday proves the perfect occasion for a party and a picnic in the park. As the traffic and city noises fade away behind them, the family hikes on to find an ideal lunch spot as well as lots of friendly admirers in their fellow park goers. By including cozy details and warm humor, Graham crafts a sunny story brimming with love. His vibrant ink-and-watercolor illustrations, which affectionately depict a youthful biracial family, busy city neighborhoods and an idyllic natural setting, make every scene seem extra inviting. Ages 2-6. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-A mixed-race family sets out for a picnic in the park to celebrate baby Oscar's half birthday. Graham displays a true understanding of children in both text and illustrations. Playful and imaginative big sister Millie wears coat-hanger fairy wings and her favorite dinosaur hand puppet. Oscar wobbles precariously in a sitting position on the picnic blanket, fingers grasping his sister's tuna sandwich. The sympathetic and loving parents enjoy their children and guide them in gentle, positive ways: when Millie squeezes Oscar's arm with the dinosaur, Dad cautions, "A little more fairy and not so much dinosaur." The text abounds with wonderful images, as when the family walks through the woods, "Oscar frowns in the dim light-six different expressions on his face in the time it takes a leaf to fall." The sounds of the surroundings, such as the "tickety-clack, tickety-clack" of the train on the overhead tracks, also make this book especially suited for reading aloud. The warm, expressive illustrations show a family apartment in which a mop, shoes, and toys all share floor space. Perspectives change as the family crosses a footbridge and climbs a huge hill; planes leave contrails in the blue sky overhead. This is an effortlessly multicultural story, full of the joy of childhood, family, and community as the whole hillside joins in singing happy birthday. A delightful addition to all collections.-Robin L. Gibson, formerly at Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The love and excitement of a family for their youngest member just cannot be contained for an entire year, so they must celebrate Oscar's half-birthday. The urbanites pack up and travel to the "half country"-a park in the city. Getting there is truly half the fun, as they enjoy the details along the way-the feel of the wind, the sound and vibration of the train, the falling leaves. As they light the half candle on the cake, the joy spills over to all the people in the park, and they join in, making it a celebration of community. Graham magnificently captures the essence of a six-month-old: "Oscar frowns in the dim light-six different expressions on his face in the time it takes a leaf to fall." Millie is an adorable older sister, clearly infatuated with Oscar. For his present, she gives him a turn with the dinosaur puppet that has not left her hand all day. The detailed watercolors perfectly follow the wonderfully descriptive text, starting young listeners on the bridge from simply looking at the pictures, to imagining them in their own minds. An endearing family sure to warm hearts and possibly spark a new tradition. (Picture book. 2-7)