Moira's Birthday

Krystyna J. Higgins is the book review editor of the Toronto-based
Catholic New Times.

The ever-popular Robert Munsch is a veritable one-man industry who
appears not only in print but also on tape and video. Three more
reprints have been added to the small-format “Munch in Miniature”
Annikin series.

Moira’s birthday threatens to run amok when, against her parents’
advice, she invites “TOO MANY KIDS” to her party. Young listeners
invariably love to chant along with Moira’s guest list: “grade 1,
grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, aaaaand kindergarten.”

In Pigs, Megan underestimates the intelligence of those rambunctious
farm animals. She pays for her mistake when the pigs escape and overrun
both her house and her school.

Something Good recounts Tyya’s adventures at the grocery store with
her father. According to her, Dad never buys anything good, showing an
annoying parental preference for bread, cheese, milk, and spinach over
ice cream and chocolate bars. When Tyya herself is mistaken for a
purchased item, however, Dad is hastily forced to rethink his spending
priorities.

The stories are classic Munsch, filled with tongue-in-cheek digs at
parents, noisy sound effects in print, repetition that begs for audience
participation, and, of course, child protagonists who inevitably have
the last word. Michael Martchenko’s exuberant illustrations perfectly
complement the rollicking text.

While these tiny-format “Munschkins” are too small for group
reading, they would be ideal in many other situations: as inexpensive
stocking stuffers or small gifts; for one-to-one snuggling on the couch;
tucked into a parent’s pocket or purse for those tedious waits at the
doctor’s office or the bus stop.

Adults may occasionally shake their heads at the sheer silliness of
Munsch’s stories, but kids find them irresistible. Highly recommended.