The Birthday Party is a children�s storybook written by the author Marissa Koons, published in January 2024. The tale revolves around Natalie, a young child who is teased at school by the "Cool Kids." Natalie strives to figure out how to be herself and make the best of a difficult circumstance with a little assistance from her mother and friends. �You are an amazing person and you can do amazing things. Just because some else�s light has gone out, doesn�t mean yours has. Your light needs to shine so others can see in the darkness. You know that, right?� Natalie's mother says this to her in this story, and I think this is a very good way to instill confidence in children. We must ensure that they understand how special and unique they are just the way they are. This inspiring story is a monument to friendship, tenacity, and the ability of inner strength to transcend. The book features lovely illustrations, a positive message, and characters that are relatable and realistic. Anyone who enjoys stories about bravery, friendship, and self-love should read it, in my opinion. It's the ideal present for children who are having birthday celebrations. The book is only 38 pages long which makes it a super quick read for the young ones. Highly recommended from my side.

This book conveys the lesson of how important loving and caring mothers are. My own mother was a narcissist growing up, so anyone who grows up with a narcissistic mother and knows that their mother is narcissistic understands that they are their first bully. It's good to see the dynamics of having bullies at school and to have mothers who can be a stark contrast to that, rather than the mother herself being the bully, as mine was growing up. The only thing is that the artwork needs authentic images, like the mean girls being mean with their facial expressions. Additionally, the point could be driven home that bullies are most likely neglected by their parents at home in some way. This could be added on to when the mother said the "mean girls" need attention; in real life, it would mostly be from their parents. Overall, it's a great book for everyone�both parents and their children alike.

This is a story about friendship , school times and learning not to let others influence your actions, no matter what they do or how they make you feel. In this short story, complete with attractive, matching illustrations, the author introduces a group of friends and explores the concept around being classed as �cool/ popular� and how this effects different characters and their actions. It�s written in a realistic and chatty style, that many children will be able to relate to. The message about being yourself is shared in the final chapter when the main characters mum takes her back to the party telling her to shine as she knows she can. An important message for all children going through friendship challenges and school changes. A delightful read.

The Birthday Party is a delightful and inspiring read that truly resonated with me. Natalie�s experiences with bullying and the mishaps on her special day are portrayed in a way that feels both realistic and relatable. What stood out to me was how her mother�s guidance helps Natalie uncover her inner strength and learn the importance of shining her light to guide others. The book beautifully balances the challenges of growing up with an empowering message about resilience and self-belief. I highly recommend this book to children; it's a story that not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons.

As a counselor who works with children on a daily basis, I spend a good amount of time talking with kids about bullying. There is an emphasis throughout the book on the importance of empathy and all of the content is presented in a way that is easy for children to comprehend. It provides readers with the opportunity to immediately reflect on and apply the content and also makes this book an outstanding resource for adults to encourage discussion one-on-one with children, or in small groups. Overall, I strongly believe that this book is a must have resource for every educator and parent!