Chapter Book Crush: Esme's birthday Conga Line

Author: Lourdes Heuer

Illustrator: Marissa Valdez

Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada

Age range: 4-8 year olds

When I saw this title I knew I wanted to read it right away. it sounded fun and it didn't fall below my expectation. Esme the titular character recently moved to the topmost best building to live with her grandparents-Mimi and Pipo. She’s such an upbeat character, not saddened by the fact that her grandparents didn’t throw her a party for her birthday. She takes matters into her hands and plans a special Birthday party that has a pull-string pinata, birthday cake, and music with the help of her neighbours in the topmost best building. What I like most about this character is that she doesn’t let anything stop her not even Manny the building superintendent who’s not a fan of birthdays.

This delightful book is broken into twelve small, short chapters with gorgeous illustrations from the lovely Marissa Valdez to entice newly independent readers. Esme’s Birthday Conga Line is perfect for 4-8-year-olds. Fans of Dory Fantasmagory, Sofia Martinez, Camila the star series, Yasmin series, Katie Woo, will enjoy this sweet and fast-paced story.