Rosie’s Special Present

This tale of a small girl’s excitement is a book to enjoy as birthdays loom. We are introduced to Rosie, hoping for a very special birthday present, but we see the action from the point of view of the present itself… which is inside a large yellow box with a slit. Out of the slit peer two anxious eyes. Whilst Rosie is keyed up with excitement about receiving her very special present, yellow box is over-anxious. Will he live up to her expectations? Might Rosie prefer a magical bird, or a juggling rabbit… or a hundred dancing mice? The illustrations clearly show his fears. Meanwhile Rosie is too excited to eat party food, telling all her friends about her special present. We see what the friends imagine it to be… and yes, each one thinks the present could be something akin to their own dressing-up clothes. The illustrations here give lots of opportunity for discussion, about the dressed-up characters as well as desired gifts. The special present at last shows himself to Rosie, but not in a conventional manner, with every drawing showing the delight of both the unveiled yellow-box-contents and Rosie. Being told he is the best present ever, the little kitten is cuddled and christened Max. So ends the best birthday ever, but it is only the beginning of a very special friendship for Rosie and Max.