When you’re small, the joyful anticipation of a birthday can almost eclipse the day itself. The fevered countdown, the imaginative planning of party guests, festive food, and wish-worthy gifts; It’s about living in the magic of possibility, more than the day’s realities.

Below are some of our favourite books for toddlers to young children about the joy of a special day and what it means to be a year older.

When’s My Birthday? by Julie Fogliano & Christian Robinson

when’s my birthday? where’s my birthday? how many days until my birthday? i’d like a big cake on my birthday with lots of chocolate on my birthday and lots of candles on my birthday 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6!

In this joyous celebration of all things BIRTHDAY, acclaimed author Julie Fogliano and award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson bring you the perfect birthday book! Join our excited narrator in breathless anticipation as she lists all the things that will make her birthday the BEST birthday.

Grandma Z by Daniel Gray-Barnett

On an ordinary day, in an even more ordinary town, it was Albert’s birthday. When Grandma Z roars into town on her motorcycle, Albert is swept up in a very extraordinary adventure.

This glorious debut from Daniel Gray-Barnett is filled with wonder, imagination, and a wild, magical spirit that will thrill young and old. Read our review here.

Your Birthday Was the Best by Maggie Hutchings and Felicita Sala

One of the world’s hottest new picture-book illustrators comes the story of a plucky young cockroach who gate-crashes a birthday party - with hilarious results. Funny, silly and surprisingly cute, Your Birthday Was the Best! is the perfect blend of downright gross and delightfully entertaining. Read our review here.

I’ll Always Be Older Than You by Jane Godwin and Sara Acton

I’ll teach you to peel bananas, eat ice-cream in a cone. It’s lucky you’ve got me - I had to learn this on my own.

A big sister marvels at how she will always be older than her baby brother, no matter how much he grows. A beautiful and gentle celebration of the bond between siblings. Read our review here.

Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima

Harriet loves costumes. She wears them to the dentist, to the supermarket, and most importantly, to her super-special dress-up birthday party. Her dads have decorated everything for the party and Harriet has her most favorite costume all picked out for the big day. There’s just one thing missing-party hats!

But when Harriet dons her special penguin errand-running costume and sets out to find the perfect ones, she finds something else instead-real penguins! Harriet gets carried away with the flock. She may look like a penguin, but she’s not so sure she belongs in the arctic. Can Harriet manage her way back to her dads in time for her special day?

Shapes at the Party by Kat Macleod

Learn shapes of all sorts as you get ready for the big day: a birthday party! Set up the room with balloons, streamers and a gold star pinata in this Kat Macleod Early Learner.

Australian artist Kat Macleod brings her signature design and illustration style to this series of board books for babies and toddlers. Her Early Learner series has playful themes, simple narratives, minimal text and bright illustrations to engage young readers and to delight parents and carers. These chunky little books are beautiful and practical, sturdy enough for small, inquisitive hands.