Esme's Birthday Conga Line

Part of Esme!

Illustrated by Marissa Valdez
Look inside
$8.99 US
Tundra | Tundra Books
60 per carton
On sale Jun 13, 2023 | 9780735269453
Age 6-9 years
Reading Level: Lexile 500L
Sales rights: World
Esme always has a plan. A funny and sweet early illustrated chapter book about a problem-solving girl who has to manage her own birthday bash. For fans of Dory Fantasmagory.

Esme lives with her grandparents on the uppermost floor of the topmost best building. It's her birthday. Mimi and Pipo gave her a beautiful guitar. But they didn't plan a birthday party.

Esme thinks this is the way with grandparents. They don't know about parties or piñatas or birthday cake. No problem! Esme is great at problem solving.

With the help of her cat, El Toro, and a LOT of help from her neighbors in the topmost best building, the irrepressible Esme gets the birthday party of her dreams.
  • NOMINEE | 2024
    Oregon Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award
  • HONOR | 2023
    Golden Kite Awards
  • HONOR | 2023
    Latino Book Award
One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids 2022
One of Chicago Public Library's Best Fiction Books for Young Readers 2022
One of Betsy Bird's Best 2022 Early Chapter Book picks


"[H]umorous and heartwarming . . . Readers will look forward to more adventures with Esme in this welcome addition to early chapter book collections." —School Library Journal

"[T]he playful text features zippy dialogue, bullet-pointed lists, and plenty of pleasing repetition for beginning readers . . . Like the best bashes, this early-reader series debut is amusing and inviting." —Booklist

"This book sticks into your head and you keep wanting more.” —The BabySpot

About

Esme always has a plan. A funny and sweet early illustrated chapter book about a problem-solving girl who has to manage her own birthday bash. For fans of Dory Fantasmagory.

Esme lives with her grandparents on the uppermost floor of the topmost best building. It's her birthday. Mimi and Pipo gave her a beautiful guitar. But they didn't plan a birthday party.

Esme thinks this is the way with grandparents. They don't know about parties or piñatas or birthday cake. No problem! Esme is great at problem solving.

With the help of her cat, El Toro, and a LOT of help from her neighbors in the topmost best building, the irrepressible Esme gets the birthday party of her dreams.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2024
    Oregon Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award
  • HONOR | 2023
    Golden Kite Awards
  • HONOR | 2023
    Latino Book Award

Praise

One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids 2022
One of Chicago Public Library's Best Fiction Books for Young Readers 2022
One of Betsy Bird's Best 2022 Early Chapter Book picks


"[H]umorous and heartwarming . . . Readers will look forward to more adventures with Esme in this welcome addition to early chapter book collections." —School Library Journal

"[T]he playful text features zippy dialogue, bullet-pointed lists, and plenty of pleasing repetition for beginning readers . . . Like the best bashes, this early-reader series debut is amusing and inviting." —Booklist

"This book sticks into your head and you keep wanting more.” —The BabySpot