Madeline Valentine - The Bad Birthday Idea

THIS IS A BORZOI BOOK PUBLISHED BY ALFRED A. KNOPF Copyright 2013 by Madeline Valentine
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Childrens Books, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Valentine, Madeline.
The bad birthday idea / by Madeline Valentine.
p. cm.
Summary: Ben refuses to play with his sister, Alice, because he likes robots and she likes dolls, but when her birthday wish is for a robot that Ben really wants, he opens it first, accidentally breaks it, then tries to cover up his deed.
ISBN 978-0-449-81331-7 (trade)
ISBN 978-0-449-81332-4 (lib. bdg.)
ISBN 978-0-449-81333-1 (ebook)
[1.

Brothers and sistersFiction. 2. BehaviorFiction. 3. BirthdaysFiction. 4.

ToysFiction. 5. RobotsFiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.V25214Bad 2013 [E]dc23 2012042634 The illustrations in this book were created using graphite, gouache, and colored pencils on watercolor paper. Random House Childrens Books supports the First Amendment and celebrates the right to read. not with his sister, Alice. not with his sister, Alice.

She liked to play with dolls. When Alice tried to play with her brother, Ben would say, No dolls allowed. This is a robot game. So Alice told their mom and dad she wanted the new Roboy 2000 for her birthday. Ben could not believe his ears. He really wanted the Roboy 2000.

But Mom and Dad told Ben it was Alices birthday, not his. On the day of Alices birthday party, Ben had to put the wrapped Roboy 2000 on the presents table. It was so unfair. Thats when Ben had an idea. He very quietly opened the wrapping paper. Awesome! Ben said. But something terrible happened. Roboy 2000 crashed into the wall and fell on the floor. Thats when the doorbell rang. Ben had to find a place to hide the Roboy 2000. Ben had to find a place to hide the Roboy 2000.

Quickly! He threw the broken robot into the chest. The wrapping paper and the cardboard box too. Just then, Alice, Mom, Dad, and all the guests came into the room. Alices friends wished her a happy birthday. They had snacks and drank punch. Mom put on music, and everyone started dancing. Then they played games. But all Ben could think about was the broken robot. After everyone had cake and ice cream, Alice opened the gifts from all her friends. After everyone had cake and ice cream, Alice opened the gifts from all her friends.

But there seemed to be one missing.