The Elephant’s Birthday: Ready-to-Read Level 2

K-Gr 2–Mouse siblings Ginger, Piper, and Tom run the Mouse and Spoon Bakery and are used to baking for all sorts of animals, including owls and zebras. But when an elephant asks for a birthday cake, the siblings are worried. Can they deliver a cake big enough for an elephant—and banana bread for the monkeys? The siblings make a plan and begin zesting and creaming all day, then baking all night until they have 134-pound cakes for the elephant. With the help of a tow truck, they deliver the cakes to a very ­appreciative elephant. The mice are invited to stay for the party and enjoy a little dancing before taking themselves home for a well-earned rest. Rylant has authored another sweet, mild reader formatted for developing readers. Simple cartoon illustrations with expressive animals clearly reflect the text, helping children decipher more difficult passages. Young readers will enjoy the challenge the mice take on and the methodical way they divide their duties to accomplish their goals.