Isabel's Birthday Surprise

Can a birthday surprise come from something unexpected? Isabel's big day doesn't go as planned--but love, creativity, and family make it unforgettable.

Isabel's Birthday Surprise is a touching picture book about managing disappointment and discovering joy in unexpected places. Isabel dreams of a big fiesta with a piñata, candy, and all her friends. But when plans change, she feels let down--until her family's love and a surprise twist help her see the beauty in what she has.

• Helps children navigate big feelings like disappointment and hope
• Encourages empathy, emotional resilience, and appreciation for family traditions
• Perfect for ages 4-8--ideal for family reading, classrooms, and therapy settings
• Created by Magination Press, the children's imprint of the APA--trusted experts in children's emotional development

Debbie Zapata, LCSW, works as a counselor in Austin, Texas, assisting families with children who have special needs. Her stories celebrate diversity and honor her Mexican culture.

Gabriella Galvez is an illustrator living in the heart of Montreal, Canada. Her style embraces bright colors, memorable characters, and always, a dash of whimsy.

A helpful tool for talking about the emotions that surround special events. Isabel’s inner world is vividly illustrated, with brightly colored art swirling around her in a style reminiscent of papel picado, visually expressing her hopes and worries. A robust bilingual reader’s note provides guidance for adults, offering activities to support children’s emotional development, and includes a recipe for Mexican buñuelos. A sweet, realistic story of family, culture, and emotional resilience.
—School Library Journal

Isabel delights in the heartfelt, homespun party and realizes her birthday wish has come true in an unexpected way. Zapata honors the disappointment children feel when their hopes don’t align with reality while also modeling resilience and the joy that can come from flexibility. Galvez’s soft pastel hues set a gentle tone…Isabel’s multigenerational family members are of Mexican heritage and speak both Spanish and English. A reader’s note, in English and Spanish and written by a psychologist, offers strategies to help children build inner strength. A warm and uplifting reminder that love and creativity are what make celebrations truly special.
—Kirkus

Watch the author(s) read Isabel's Birthday Surprise.opens in new window Interested in this book? Purchase a copy to continue (or start) the conversation with the children in your life.