cover image Platypus and the Birthday Party

Platypus and the Birthday Party

Chris Riddell. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt P, $16 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-15-204753-5

The playful hero returns in his third book, Platypus and the Birthday Party by Chris Riddell. Platypus and his friend Echidna, a spiny-coated fellow (similar to a porcupine) host a birthday party for Bruce, a toy platypus. Together they make an ""echidna cake,"" blow up balloons, which pop on Echidna's quills, and make decorations. The party is so much fun that Platypus says ""Let's have another one tomorrow!"" Humorous, expressive illustrations of the duck-billed, web-footed Platypus and his quill-covered friend complement the buoyant text.