Henry's Happy Birthday

Reach for this book when your child is facing a high-stakes emotional milestone, like a birthday or holiday, and is struggling with the pressure of high expectations. It is a gentle, relatable story about Henry the dog, whose birthday starts off with a series of small disappointments that feel like huge catastrophes to a young child. From the wrong flavor of cake to gifts that aren't quite right, Henry navigates the common 'birthday blues' with realistic frustration. This book is an excellent tool for normalizing the messy feelings that often accompany big celebrations. It helps children aged 4 to 8 understand that it is okay to feel sad or grumpy even on a day that is supposed to be perfect. By the end, Henry finds joy in the simple moments of friendship, offering a hopeful model for resilience and gratitude without being overly preachy.