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This fun and colorful children’s book is personalized to a specific child's name. In this case, readers meet Olivia on her first birthday. Olivia receives a beautiful cake and many wrapped presents. She even receives balloons! Readers see her friends and family gather to celebrate her on her special day. Nonetheless, a mystery unfolds. Olivia’s friends and family cannot find her! As readers venture through the book, they see Olivia’s friends and family search for her under the bed, in the kitchen, and in the garden. They cannot even find her playing with her toys. Finally, Olivia’s friends and family find the little girl, and it becomes time to celebrate. Her friends and family gather around and sing “Happy Birthday!” and remind Olivia that her presence in their lives brings them much joy and happiness.
This book is a colorful celebration of a little girl’s first year. The imaginative and bright illustrations will easily engage young readers. The brightness of the pictures reflects the happiness and love with which Olivia’s friends and families fill her world. The brightness also mirrors the joy that Olivia brings to her friends and family. Thus, readers find that approaching life and one another with a positive attitude helps brighten each and every moment of one’s day. The positivity also reminds readers that it is important to uplift and celebrate the people in their lives who make their lives special. Another aspect of the artwork that makes it fun for readers is the animals. They appear as stuffed animals and fun friends who are important to Olivia and her family. Their presence adds a cuteness and wonderment to the unfolding adventure. Their place in the book also reminds readers—young and not-so-young—about the importance of play in a child’s life and development. The animals and their playfulness encourage young readers to embrace their imaginations and their creativity. The artwork is so engaging that it has the potential to inspire youngsters to pursue their own artistic and creative pursuits.
The book is also written in a manner that makes it easily understandable for young readers. Much of the story is structured using a question-and-response technique, which parents can use to teach their children effective communication skills. The simple structure of the questions posed also helps parents teach their children basic sentence structure. The easy-to-read sentences make the book an effective tool for teaching young children basic reading skills.
Readers will find a QR code on the final page where young readers and their parents can “see” what Olivia “can be.” This interactive element allows Olivia’s fan club to continue their adventures by creating personalized stories. The adventures that unfold in this book will make readers of any age wish that their birthday could be as colorful, bright, and inspiring as Olivia’s first birthday. These pages will inspire everyone to celebrate not only their and their loved ones’ birthdays but every day that they are given to spend with those who are important to them. Thus, Olivia, despite only being a one-year-old, serves as a powerful, positive role model to everyone about bringing joy and happiness to others.